Community Activities for Those with Autism

Community activities and recreation  can be particularly important for the mental and physical health of children with autism. These activities allow kids to increase physical aptitude, self-esteem, confidence, and independence. By enabling kids with autism to feel like a part of their community, participation in these programs also helps improve social skills that can be applied to other areas of life as well like school and work. 

It doesn’t have to be a competitive team sport.  Individual sporting activities such as running, hiking, skiing, skating, cycling, or golf allow kids with autism to participate in recreation without social interactions that might cause stress. It doesn’t even have to be a sport at all. Hobbies such as collecting stamps, playing chess, gardening, or taking art or music lessons can also provide enjoyment, as well as increased self-confidence and motivation. If your child likes animals, you could try volunteering at a local animal shelter, or offering to care for neighbors’ pets.

Your school may have therapists or staff resources to help your child find his or her niche in the community. Recreation therapists use a variety of techniques including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance, drama, music and community outings to build confidence and social skills so that children with autism can enjoy greater independence. In addition, therapists help kids integrate into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and participate in recreational activities.

As the parent of an autistic child, you know that not every experience in the community will be positive. As always, planning ahead and having a backup plan is important. Connecting with other parents of autistic children in your local community can also help to discover what worked and didn’t work for them. Ultimately, the potential benefits of community involvement will outweigh the risks.