If you want to learn the benefits of sensory play for autism, then you are in the right place! Children with autism can benefit from sensory play in a variety of ways – from building fine motor skills, to learning new vocabulary to increasing interactive play.
Benefits of sensory play for autism
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All children can benefit from sensory play. Children on the autism spectrum are often extremely sensitive to everyday sensory experiences – something like a bright light or food with a certain texture can push them over the edge into a full fledged melt down.
Being exposed to different sensory experiences can help your child with autism learn to better manage a variety of sensations in addition learning to better interact with the outside world.
Sensory experiences can also be motivating and fun which increases the probability that your child will want to be engaged them, want to work for them and learn new skills thanks to them.
These are 21 specific benefits of sensory play for children with autism
1. Increase motivation.
2. Decrease frustration.
3. Help regulate the vestibular system.
4. Improve social play.
5. Develop fine motor skills.
6. Decrease melt downs.
7. Increase communication skills.
8. Increase frequency of play with a sibling.
9. Increase opportunities for learning throughout the day.
10. Teach new vocabulary.
11. Provide opportunities for play with grandparents.
12. Increase exercise.
13. Decrease boredom.
14. Decrease aggressive behavior.
15. Teach new gross motor skills.
16. Teach following instructions.
17. Teach receptive language skills.
18. Teach pretend play skills.
19. Increase willingness to participate in daily activities such as going to the park.
20. Increase every day living skills (such as cooking).
21. Increase willingness to try new foods.
Sensory Activities for Autistic Kids
- Sensory Box Ideas
- Free Printable Fish Bowl Play Dough Mat
- Free Printable Bat Play Dough Mat
- Free Printable Sensory Break Cards
- Sensory Break Ideas for Autistic Kids
- 10 Sensory Toys Every Autistic Child Needs at Home
- Butter Slime Recipes (3 of our favorites)
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.
- 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!
Benefits of Sensory Play for Autism
Sensory play is so beneficial for our kids on the autism spectrum. Make sure you incorporate it into your home program, autism classroom or private practice every day!
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