Finding activities for a nonverbal autistic child can be tricky. This collection of autism activities will help you build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and more. Make sure you check out my Autism Workbooks as well if you are looking for printable autism activities.
What does it mean to be “nonverbal”?
When we refer to a child as “nonverbal” it means that he or she is not using verbal language to communicate. It is really important to remember that this doesn’t mean that the child is not communicating. A lot of our communication is nonverbal.
21 Activities for a Nonverbal Autistic Child
Autism Workbooks
My collection of Autism Workbooks contain over 50 autism activities that I personally designed based on my 20+ years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum as a therapist and autism center owner. The activities in the Autism Workbooks are perfect for building communication, fine motor, sensory play and life skills – all while decreasing difficult behaviors that are getting in the way of learning. (The workbook bundle includes some fabulous social story bonuses as well!)
Communication Building Activities
Sign Language for Autism
Adapted sign language can be an amazing tool for teaching a nonverbal autistic child to communicate.
Montessori Learning Trays
I love using Montessori Learning Trays to teach new skills. They are a fun and engaging way to build new skills.
Experience Books
Experience are a great tool for processing different types of activity. Use them to build expressive and receptive language skills.
Related : How to Teach an Autistic Child to Speak
Sensory Activities
Sensory Boxes
I love sensory boxes and so do my little learners! May yours do too?
Some of my favorites?
Light Table Activities
If you don’t have a sensory table yet, I highly suggest you get one (or make your own). You can use a sensory table to work on teaching new vocabulary words, building receptive language skills, taking turns and more. They are so much fun!
Sensory Break Cards
Incorporating sensory breaks into the day with a nonverbal child, can be essential. Keep frustration at bay while also increasing movement, with fun sensory breaks throughout the day.
Quiet Books
Quiet Books are a fabulous tool for learning new skills and incorporating simple and calm play activities into your child to students’ day.
Zoo Playdough Mats
Use the zoo play dough mats to work on the names of the animals, process sensory experiences (by manipulating play dough) and more.
Fine Motor Activities
Autism Worksheets
This collection of worksheets will help you teach numbers, writing and more.
Pail and Clothespins Autism Activity
This simple activity calls for a simple pail and clothespins to build fine motor skills in a simple way.
Easy Origami for Kids
Folding origami can be a great way to build your little learner’s fine motor strength and precision.
Pointing Book
Use a DIY pointing book to teach your child or students to point, while also building fine motor skills simultaneously.
Cotton Balls and Clothespins Autism Activity
Use this simple cotton balls and clothespins activity to build your child or students’ fine motor skills.
Social Skills Activities
Social Skills to Teach Kids with Autism
Use this list of 62 social skills to teach to build your little one’s social skills, step by step.
Free Printables
Fish Bowl Play Dough Mat
This is one of the most popular printable activities on this blog! Teach your child to make a fish out of play dough and say “fish”, “fish bowl” and “play dough”.
Winter Play Dough Mats
This collection of free printable Winter play dough mats is perfect for an autistic learner who is nonverbal.
Dinosaur Play Dough Mats
Dinosaur play dough mats are a fun and easy way to build new skills as well. Create an entire dinosaur unit or add these free printables to your existing activity plan.
Fish Matching Game
Matching skills are an important prerequisite to learning verbal communication. Add some simple matching activities into your home, classroom or therapy programs with my fish matching games.
For more printable autism activities, check out my Autism Activities Workbook Bundle!
Indoor Autism Activities
My favorite indoor autism activities to get you through a long Winter!
Outdoor Activities for Autistic Child
Similarly, these are my favorite outdoor autism activities!
Books
Movement Activities
Yoga Videos for Kids
Easy kids yoga is a great activity for incorporating movement activities into your every day schedule with an autism child.
More Autism Learning Resources
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
- Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!
Activities for a Nonverbal Autistic Child
Choose one or two of the autism activities for nonverbal learners to try or use them all!
Pin for later!
First published January 12th, 2021. Last updated March 3rd, 2025 with more information, additional tips, and better readability.
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