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Top 5 Q and A series: Teaching Play and Social skills

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Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

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We’ve gathered the top 5 questions from our online community about teaching play and social skills. Community manager, Kelsey General, joins me to discuss these answers. Be sure to check out last week’s episode, a classic rebroadcast, Teaching Play Skills to Children with Autism.

When Should Babies and Toddlers Start Playing? Baby Social and Play Milestones:

Early play skills will fall under social skills beginning very young for typically developing babies. These include: eye contact, smiling at caregivers, babbling, blowing raspberries, and early forms of imitation. By 9 to 12 months and 15 to 18 months, children should show increased joint attention, pointing at items frequently not only for requesting but to share interest and enjoyment. Additionally, young toddlers will take part in cause and effect play such as Jack in the box, stacking and knocking over blocks, putting items in, etc. These are all prerequisite social and play skills that should be understood before expecting more advanced play.

Will Daycare Naturally Build and Teach Social Skills for Delayed Children?

While exposure and “socialization” to other kids may seem like the answer to teaching play, the short answer is no; daycare will not naturally teach play skills if the prerequisites aren’t there. I discuss my experience with sending Lucas to preschool at age 2, his struggles and the support we needed to move forward. Young children with autism often need one to one support alongside any traditional daycare option. One to One aids should be supporting a child’s independent play, managing problem behaviors, and encouraging peer to peer or parallel play with familiar, comfortable activities.

How to Encourage Peer to Peer or Sibling Interaction?

The first priority when discussing interaction between peers or siblings is safety. Be sure there are enough of the right people around to keep everyone safe. Next, start small with pairing up these individuals. For siblings, for example, a new baby being born into the family. Start prepping early with baby dolls and teaching the child about their new baby sister or brother. Have the baby bring the child a gift, some small interaction between the two that motivates and reinforces the relationship. Support and pairing will go a long way. This also goes for peer to peer interaction, often for children with autism playing with peers comes with a lot of rules, be sure you’re not only teaching the child how to play with their peers but the peers the appropriate way to play with the child.

How Can You Help Your Child Play With Toys?

If your child isn’t interested in toys, take a look at their options and the toys you are offering to them. Are they age appropriate or developmentally appropriate? Does your child have the necessary prerequisite skills to play with this toy? Many times, children with autism who have delays in play skills should begin with toys suitable for a much earlier play level. This means 2, 3, and 4-year-olds with autism will likely not be interested in or understand pretend play or dress up. Instead, try focused toys that have a purpose or outcome that can be seen by the child. Additionally, children may not have the language skills required to play with more advanced play toys. Utilize table time, with our early learner skills focused on activities like the shoebox, or potato head. Support, practice, and reinforce toys that are appropriate before moving onto other toys.

Should Your Child Be Sharing? How to Help:

Sharing is not developmentally appropriate for any 2-year-old, with or without autism. At this age children should be playing parallel and there should be enough toys for everyone. If your child is at the age for joint play and sharing and they are not, increase support. Find opportunities for the child to have time with their toys that they do not have to share. Encourage toy “trading”, finding interest in another toy while offering the current toy to a peer. Designate sharing toys and sharing time, for peers to use a toy or game together. All of these suggestions should be practiced with one on one support, and high reinforcement. If grabbing, hitting, or other problem behavior begins, then the demands are too high, and the reinforcement is too low, more support is needed.

If you find this Q and A series helpful, consider joining our online community to be a part of the discussion. We are reaching millions and trying to reach more. Please find us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Follow, like, share, and comment to get the word out.

Kelsey General on the Turn Autism Around Podcast

Kelsey is a single mom to two boys, living in BC, Canada. In 2016 her oldest son was diagnosed with autism at 25 months old. After learning he would not qualify for the support he needed, Kelsey began her journey of learning how to help him. Since then, Kelsey has continued her education in the field in order to provide her children and others in the community the direct intervention they needed.

Now, Kelsey homeschools both her kids with support from a team of consulting professionals, while also working with other families providing behavior analytic services and parent coaching services. Kelsey and her boys enjoy spending their free time exploring and in nature hiking, biking, camping, and snowboarding. You can follow her adventures and learn more about getting children with autism outside safely on her Instagram page, www.instagram.com/littleadventurefamily.

You’ll Learn

  • What are baby and toddler play skill milestones?
  • What age should children start sharing?
  • How to encourage peer to peer play?
  • How to encourage sibling interaction?
  • Are you offering the right toys to your child?
  • Will daycare solve play delays for children with autism?
  • What types of play are appropriate for children with autism?
  • What does early play look like?
  • Why are language and play so important to eachother?

Resources

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Register for Free Training