A regular autism social skills group themed around board games can be highly effective for helping autistic pupils develop this important skill.
It’s important that we don’t try and make an autistic child ‘conform’ or socialise in situations that they clearly find overwhelming and uncomfortable. What we can do, however, is bring children together in a structured and interesting task where they can:
- learn about getting along together
- discover the skills they possess
- pick up new skills
We can teach knowledge, skills and understanding to all children, so that every child can feel more confident and comfortable in social situations.
Board and card games play to the strengths of many autistic pupils because they have rules, they have a point and are visual, featuring patterns and structure.
They can depend on skill as well as chance, and the participants don’t necessarily need to look at each other while playing them. And while they’re repetitive, they also introduce different events within the rules.
Autism social skills lesson objectives
- Being flexible when responding to others’ actions
- Communicating for a purpose
- Dealing with differences of opinion and arguments
- Self-regulating emotions and dealing with losing
Lynn McCann is an ASC specialist teacher and author. Browse more resources for Autism Acceptance Week.
