Over the years, I have worked with many children who have difficulty processing the environment around them. A lack of therapeutic support can result in challenging behavior and frustration for you as parents, as you may not know how best to help.
Here are three eco-friendly outdoor sensory activities for autism to help you manage your child’s sensory processing and communication challenges.
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Sensory Play Ideas
Eco-friendly practices to help sensory integration
Many eco-friendly and outdoor sensory activities can help your child explore a wide range of environmental practices.
Using recycled and sustainable materials to teach everyday language and support sensory needs can help autistic children connect with nature.
By engaging in these activities, your child contributes to a healthier planet and is immersed in sensory-rich environments that can profoundly affect their well-being.
Whether they feel the texture of soil while planting seeds or listen to the soothing sounds of birds chirping during a nature walk, these experiences can help autistic children regulate their sensory experiences, stimulate language, and thrive in their daily lives.
Eco-friendly practices as a supportive environment
Many studies show that outdoor environments are highly beneficial for children with ASD. According to them, when outdoors, children with ASD become:
- calmer
- better listeners
- more patient
- less irritable
Furthermore, evidence supports that “natural outdoor environments have been shown to reduce stress, enhance emotional resilience, facilitate functional and imaginative play, and support cognitive functioning.”
Outdoor sensory activities for autism
Here are some outdoor sensory activities to help regulate sensory integration challenges and boost your autistic child’s communication.
1. Nature walk
A nature walk is relatively cheap, making it an ideal eco-activity. Additionally, nature walks promote physical activity, which can help reduce hyperactive behaviors and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Children with autism can benefit greatly from the sensory experiences of a stroll through a park, forest, or even a local green space. Encourage them to explore:
- textures of flowers, leaves, and trees
- sounds of birds chirping
- sights of colorful flowers
Each can provide rich sensory input, helping to regulate sensory integration issues. Engaging in nature walks also offers opportunities for communication and language development.
Tip 1: Describe what you see, hear, and feel during the walk. Try not to ask questions.
Example: “I can hear a bird chirping. It sounds squeaky.” “This flower has a yellow color and feels soft.”
This action helps to boost vocabulary and conversation skills. Use pictures for understanding if needed.
2. Gardening
Gardening is another budget-friendly eco-activity that can be adapted to the needs of autistic children.
Whether planting seeds in pots on a balcony, collecting leaves in the local park, or watering a small garden plot, gardening offers numerous sensory experiences that boost communication skills.
Children love the tactile experience of handling soil and seeds, the visual stimulation of plant colors, and the sensations of smelling flowers and herbs, which all contribute to a rich sensory environment.
Tip 2: Create calming sensory spaces in the garden to facilitate language understanding.
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Example: Wrap natural materials like wool or cotton around pots to encourage touch and interaction with flowers and plants. You can also:
- water the plants
- incorporate natural light
- minimize clutter for calmness and tranquility
These actions allow turn-taking practice, following instructions, and sharing their experiences. This enhances communication skills and social connections.
3. Outdoor storytelling sessions
Creating storytelling sessions in your garden or a nearby park can be a great activity for autistic children to enjoy the outdoors.
Tip 3: As the story unfolds, use visual supports for understanding.
Example: Use picture cards to illustrate the book. I like to create visuals using free apps or a paid platform.
Parents and caregivers can also pack a story bag with objects from the storybook or nature to create a calm and cozy storytelling environment.
Additionally, encourage your children to act out parts of the story or retell it in their own words if they have delayed language.
This activity develops language and critical thinking, creating a deeper bond between parents or caregivers and children.
Overcoming barriers and challenges
Let’s address some of the common concerns or obstacles parents face.
If your child has sensory sensitivities during nature walks:
- Consider gradually introducing your child to outdoor environments.
- Provide support such as visual aids or social stories to help familiarize them.
- Consider using noise-canceling headphones and offering tools like stim toys or sunglasses to help with sensory regulation.
If a child has difficulties with impulsivity or awareness of surroundings, it’s important to assess safety during outdoor activities like gardening. Here are some things you can do:
- Provide clear instructions.
- Supervise activities at all times.
- Incorporate visual step-by-step instructions for understanding.
- Encourage sensory supports such as textured gloves or kneeling pads.
If a child struggles with transitions and changes in routine, easing into transitions for nature-based activities is essential. Some things you can try include:
- Establishing a consistent routine with pictures.
- Using verbal prompts and cues to prepare your child beforehand.
- Incorporating sensory supports like calming scents or fidgets.
- Remembering to praise their achievements.
If a child has a limited interest in nature-based activities, motivating them to participate and enjoy the experiences is helpful. To motivate your autistic child, you can:
- Combine interests with outdoor experiences – playing with cars in the garden.
- Praise positive behaviors.
- Use sensory supports – scented plants or tactile exploration – captivating curiosity and promoting engagement.
Nature activities and calm
Children with autism face many challenges when processing the world around them. Evidence shows they become calmer outdoors and can increase their cognitive skills.
Activities like nature walks, storytelling, and gardening are inexpensive ways to teach your child about the environment while reducing sensory needs.
Using speech tools like visual aids can help to boost their communication.
Nature is a wonderful way to connect as a family. So don’t wait; get outdoors with your child and enjoy nature today!
FAQs
Q: How does outdoor play help children with autism?
A: Outdoor play helps children with autism by improving their sensory processing skills and providing opportunities for social interaction. It also promotes physical activity, which can reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being
Q: What are daily activities for autism?
A: Daily activities for individuals with autism often include structured routines such as sensory play, communication exercises, and physical activities like walking or swimming. These activities are designed to develop social, motor, and cognitive skills while providing a sense of predictability and security.
Q: How do I encourage my autistic child to go outside?
A: Encourage your autistic child to go outside by incorporating their interests into outdoor activities and starting with small, manageable outings. Use positive reinforcement and create a predictable routine to make outdoor play a positive and enjoyable experience.
Q: What activities do autistic people struggle with?
A: Autistic individuals may struggle with activities that involve complex social interactions, sensory overload, or rapid changes, such as crowded events, loud environments, and unstructured social gatherings. They might also find tasks requiring fine motor skills or executive functioning, like multitasking, particularly challenging.
References:
Blakesley and Payne (2012): Visiting the Kent countryside: a guide for parents of children with autism. Autism and Nature: Maidstone.
Larsen and Associates (2018): Exposure to nature for children with autism spectrum disorder: Benefits, caveats, and barriers. Health and Place 55 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30503683/
McCormick C, Hepburn S, Young GS, Rogers SJ. Sensory symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder, other developmental disorders and typical development: A longitudinal study. Autism. 2016 Jul;20(5):572-9. doi: 10.1177/1362361315599755. Epub 2015 Sep 22. PMID: 26395236; PMCID: PMC4918912. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26395236/
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