Social Skills Activities for Children with Autism
AutismTeachingStrategies.com
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To download this free resource, click below:
Children with autism spectrum disorder often struggle to figure out what others feel, think and remember.
Pencils, whose marks can be erased, and pens, which cannot, can be used to set up lessons about social cause and effect.
In the free download, I provide two worksheets – the Pencil Memories Worksheet, and the Pen Memories worksheet, as well as clear directions on how to use them.
Here is another free social skills worksheet on the topic of social cause and effect and what others remember: Words Hurt, Words Help Worksheets.
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There are some strategic reasons to use cards in social-emotional teaching and therapy with children. Cards can introduce a useful game-like dimension to the work. Much of what might be taught in a card activity might feel tired or discouraging without this playful aspect. Cards can help to break up the adult-child power dynamic. If the card asks a tough question instead of the adult, it might be easier for the child to give a solid answer. Cards can promote turn-taking in group work. The structure allows quieter kids to talk more and can help place reasonable limits on children who might be talking too much.
There are many activities on this website that include downloadable cards. Check them out.
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There are good reasons and bad reasons to use worksheets in child therapy and social-emotional teaching.
Bad reason # 1: Worksheets can make it much faster and easier to prepare for the class or therapy session. Worksheets provide visual evidence that “therapy” took place.
Bad reason #2: Our learning activity is taking place in school, where children are supposed to be writing.
However, there are some very good reasons to use worksheets at times when we are helping children with social and emotional problems.
Good reason #1: Some children will express something significant in writing which they might be hesitant to express aloud.
Good reason #2: Many children on the autism spectrum need quiet to think clearly – constant discussion might impair their concentration.
Good reason # 3: Worksheets that include drawing can be extremely helpful to some children. Some children can at times express in a simple picture what they might not be able to say aloud.
All of my published books include some worksheets. This website has multitudes of free worksheets you may wish to try. You can search for “worksheet” in the search box.
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(In German): Bildarbeitsblätter für Gespräche mit Familienmitgliedern
(in Spanish): Cómo hablar con un adulto que vive contigo ~ hoja de trabajo
(In Polish): Porozmawiaj z Rodzicami i Rodze?stwem- materia?y do ?wicze?
(In Hebrew): Talk to Family Worksheets, Hebrew Translation
Children with autism spectrum disorders often have difficulties having conversations with the people they live with. It really helps to use picture guides. Here is a set of easy-to-use worksheets for classroom, speech room and home.
1. Have the child put check marks next to the photos they think represent the person’s interests.
2. Go over the images one at a time with the child. Explain that the family member probably has many interests that are different from the child’s own interests.
3. The sheet “Questions, Comments, Compliments” can be used to set up role plays and actual conversation practice with family members.
4. Have family members fill them out for the child to use as a reference.
5. Project the sheets using a smart board or projector – this really helps for small group or classroom discussions about family members.
I hope these worksheets are useful for you.
For more free materials on facilitating parent/child conversation for children with autism: How Was Your Day? Sheets
Your comments on these resources are most welcome, and often helpful. Click HERE to send an email.
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Emotion Thermometer – in German
To access other emotional regulation materials, click here.
To access a summary of CBT materials, click here.
Your comments on these resources are most welcome, and often helpful. Click HERE to send an email.
To download the Anime Emotion Coloring Worksheets, click on the link just below here:s
Your comments on these resources are most welcome, and often helpful. Click HERE to send an email.
In French:
In German:
In Spanish:
Tarjetas de emociones estilo anime
Your comments on these resources are most welcome, and often helpful. Click HERE to send an email.
Here are some other free resources for children with autism to learn about emotions and feelings.
Paper Fortune Tellers for Feelings
