Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Activities
LEGOs
Video Gaming
Trains
Anime
Reading
Swimming
Hiking and Walking
Making Things
Puzzle Solving
Yoga
Animal Care
Choosing the Activity
Play is important for the development and well-being of allautisticchildren at their respectivelevels of functioning. Hobbies and activities help autistic kids to develop skills that are important for learning and communication.
Along with building social skills, enjoying activities together can create bonds when you choose the appropriate activity based on your child’s capabilities and interests.
This article offers 10 activities to try with your autistic child. It also provides guidance on how to choose the right hobbies and activities to enjoy with your child.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Hobbies and Activities to Enjoy
What Does It Mean to be Neurodivergent?
Building with LEGOs can improve fine motor skills and foster creativity. Who knew that a bunch of plastic building bricks could turn into a full-scale, international artistic (and scientific) medium? If your autistic child is a LEGO®toy fan, your options may be endless.
Build from blueprints and diagrams. Create your own cities. Watch the LEGO movie. Go to LEGO conventions. Get involved with LEGO Mindstorms, and then join clubs and compete. Go to LEGO art shows. The possibilities are amazing.
Studies have shown using LEGOs in therapy for autistic children resulted in improvement in social and communication skills (such as the desire to play with others), improved social interactions, better coping, and more engagement with family.
10 Hobbies and Activities to Enjoy With Your Autistic Child
Video games can improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and they’re not just for kids—there’s a match for any level of expertise. Your autistic child may enjoy playingMinecraftorHarry Potteron their own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t join in and take part in the fun.
Instead of assuming you’re not wanted (or that the games are too hard for you), take time to learn the ropes, ask questions, and get involved.
If your child is just starting out or has difficulty navigating complex games, opt for simpler vintage video games or sports games that don’t require high-level manual dexterity (like golf, bowling, or pool).
Some studies have found that video games help relieve stress and aid with social connection in autistic children. On the downside, they can lead to video “addiction” if not monitored and managed.
If you’re not British, you may think that it’s odd to memorize train numbers, schedules, and specs. In Britain, however, “trainspotting” is a time-honored activity, and many autistic kids embrace similar interests.
Building models (whether it’s trains, planes, or cars) is an excellent way to improve fine motor skills and attention to detail.
Autism and Family Life
A surprising number of autistic people love anime, a complex and much-beloved form of Japanese animation. Although there is limited research, anime may help autistic kids improve social skills and interactions.
Anime is huge, and it’s everywhere. Join your child in watching, reading, and drawing anime.
Create your own anime on the computer. Go in costume to an anime convention. Most schools and communities even have anime clubs your child can join.
Studies have shown that autistic children are often responsive to anime-style virtual characters, which have been used as a tool for social skills training.
Reading encourages language development and communication skills. Reading books together, or even making up your own stories, can be a wonderful bonding experience.
Whether it’s science fiction and fantasy or non-fiction topics like dinosaurs and volcanoes, books can be a great activity. Depending on their interest levels and abilities, autistic people may learn every detail of a particular “universe,” write their own stories, watch and rewatch movies, read comics, attend conventions, or even make their own costumes.
Swimming can improve motor skills, fitness levels, and sensory processing.
Whether at the ocean, in a lake, at a pool, or under the sprinkler, water activities are fun for almost everyone. And while some people are there to learn swimming strokes, join swim teams, or become lap swimmers, others just go to have a good time together.
Similar to swimming, hiking and walking can improve physical fitness, motor skills, and sensory processing.
Autistic people are often less amenable to teamsportsfor a variety of reasons.But they have plenty of physical energy and stamina, and if your autistic child falls into this category, consider getting into hiking and walking.
Building things can encourage self-expression and creativity while also improving fine motor skills and attention to detail.
This growing community of “makers” involves autistic people who conceive, create, and share prototype devices that lift, move, teach, and more. Your child may be only a beginner “maker,” but encouraging those skills can plug them into the larger “maker” community.
Puzzles are an excellent way to improve problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Board games provide an opportunity to build social skills, such as turn-taking, following rules, and sportsmanship. Choose games according to your child’s age and interests. There are games for every age group and skill level.
Yoga can help improve body awareness, fitness levels, and sensory processing. Yoga also offers a calming atmosphere, allowing children to slow down. Breathing strategies may help reduce irritability and stress.
Check out yoga videos, online resources, and classes in your local community that are designed for kids.
Not all autistic people love animals, but those who have an interest are usuallyveryinterested. Consider sharing that interest through horseback riding, pet care, volunteering at nature centers, fostering kittens or puppies, joining a 4-H club, or working at a local farm.
One study noted significant improvement in social communication skills in autistic children when animals were involved in animal-assisted play therapy compared to autistic children who did not receive this type of therapy.
How to Choose the Right Activity
Choosing the right activity for your autistic child can sometimes be difficult. Parents may need to work around autism traits and behaviors likesensory overload,socialandcommunication limitations, and apreference for repetition and routine.
However, an autistic child can develop and thrive in hobbies and activities that other kids commonly enjoy.The key to success is to choose an activity and venue that is comfortable and interesting to your child.
Don’t Give UpYou may assume that your child is incapable of shared activities because they are nonverbal or have other autism traits. But it is important to remember that many children withnonverbal autismhave gone on to become accomplished gamers, artists, swimmers, runners, and more.
Don’t Give Up
You may assume that your child is incapable of shared activities because they are nonverbal or have other autism traits. But it is important to remember that many children withnonverbal autismhave gone on to become accomplished gamers, artists, swimmers, runners, and more.
Summary
Play is important for the development and well-being of all autistic children. Hobbies and activities help autistic kids develop skills that are important for learning and communication. Doing activities together can create bonds between parents and autistic children when activities are chosen based on the child’s interests, functional level, and comfortable environment.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lindsay S, Hounsell KG, Cassiani C.A scoping review of the role of LEGO ® therapy for improving inclusion and social skills among children and youth with autism. Disability and Health Journal. 2017;10(2):173-182. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.010Mazurek MO, Engelhardt CR, Clark KE.Video games from the perspective of adults with autism spectrum disorder.Comput. Hum. Behav.2015:51:122–30. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.062Tanaka H, Nakamura S.The acceptability of virtual characters as social skills trainers: usability study.JMIR Hum Factors.2022 Jan-Mar;9(1) e35358. doi:10.2196/35358Arnell S, Jerlinder K, Lungqvist LO.Perceptions of physical activity participation among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: a conceptual model of conditional participation.J Autism Dev Disord.2018;48(5):1792–802. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3436-2Happe F.Why are savant skills and special talents associated with autism?World Psychiatry.2018 Oct;17(3):280–1. doi:10.1002/wps.20552O’Haire M.Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012-2015.Appl Dev Sci.2017;21(3):200-216. doi:10.1080/10888691.2016.1243988Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.Potvin MC, Snider L, Prelock P, Kehayia E, Wood-Daphinee S.Recreational participation of children with high functioning autism.J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Feb;43(2):445-57. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1589-6
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lindsay S, Hounsell KG, Cassiani C.A scoping review of the role of LEGO ® therapy for improving inclusion and social skills among children and youth with autism. Disability and Health Journal. 2017;10(2):173-182. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.010Mazurek MO, Engelhardt CR, Clark KE.Video games from the perspective of adults with autism spectrum disorder.Comput. Hum. Behav.2015:51:122–30. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.062Tanaka H, Nakamura S.The acceptability of virtual characters as social skills trainers: usability study.JMIR Hum Factors.2022 Jan-Mar;9(1) e35358. doi:10.2196/35358Arnell S, Jerlinder K, Lungqvist LO.Perceptions of physical activity participation among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: a conceptual model of conditional participation.J Autism Dev Disord.2018;48(5):1792–802. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3436-2Happe F.Why are savant skills and special talents associated with autism?World Psychiatry.2018 Oct;17(3):280–1. doi:10.1002/wps.20552O’Haire M.Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012-2015.Appl Dev Sci.2017;21(3):200-216. doi:10.1080/10888691.2016.1243988Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.Potvin MC, Snider L, Prelock P, Kehayia E, Wood-Daphinee S.Recreational participation of children with high functioning autism.J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Feb;43(2):445-57. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1589-6
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lindsay S, Hounsell KG, Cassiani C.A scoping review of the role of LEGO ® therapy for improving inclusion and social skills among children and youth with autism. Disability and Health Journal. 2017;10(2):173-182. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.010Mazurek MO, Engelhardt CR, Clark KE.Video games from the perspective of adults with autism spectrum disorder.Comput. Hum. Behav.2015:51:122–30. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.062Tanaka H, Nakamura S.The acceptability of virtual characters as social skills trainers: usability study.JMIR Hum Factors.2022 Jan-Mar;9(1) e35358. doi:10.2196/35358Arnell S, Jerlinder K, Lungqvist LO.Perceptions of physical activity participation among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: a conceptual model of conditional participation.J Autism Dev Disord.2018;48(5):1792–802. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3436-2Happe F.Why are savant skills and special talents associated with autism?World Psychiatry.2018 Oct;17(3):280–1. doi:10.1002/wps.20552O’Haire M.Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012-2015.Appl Dev Sci.2017;21(3):200-216. doi:10.1080/10888691.2016.1243988Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.Potvin MC, Snider L, Prelock P, Kehayia E, Wood-Daphinee S.Recreational participation of children with high functioning autism.J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Feb;43(2):445-57. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1589-6
Lindsay S, Hounsell KG, Cassiani C.A scoping review of the role of LEGO ® therapy for improving inclusion and social skills among children and youth with autism. Disability and Health Journal. 2017;10(2):173-182. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.10.010
Mazurek MO, Engelhardt CR, Clark KE.Video games from the perspective of adults with autism spectrum disorder.Comput. Hum. Behav.2015:51:122–30. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.04.062
Tanaka H, Nakamura S.The acceptability of virtual characters as social skills trainers: usability study.JMIR Hum Factors.2022 Jan-Mar;9(1) e35358. doi:10.2196/35358
Arnell S, Jerlinder K, Lungqvist LO.Perceptions of physical activity participation among adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: a conceptual model of conditional participation.J Autism Dev Disord.2018;48(5):1792–802. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3436-2
Happe F.Why are savant skills and special talents associated with autism?World Psychiatry.2018 Oct;17(3):280–1. doi:10.1002/wps.20552
O’Haire M.Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012-2015.Appl Dev Sci.2017;21(3):200-216. doi:10.1080/10888691.2016.1243988
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.
Potvin MC, Snider L, Prelock P, Kehayia E, Wood-Daphinee S.Recreational participation of children with high functioning autism.J Autism Dev Disord. 2013 Feb;43(2):445-57. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1589-6
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