What are some good activities for adolecents with autism and their siblings?

I’ve worked with children with autism of all ages, and especially love programming for social activities for older children and their siblings. There are many activities, indoor and outdoor, that are great for siblings to do together which build social skills, leisure skills, organization and planning skills, and other great life skills…most importantly those activities which are AGE APPROPRIATE are preferred.

As for outdoor activities, bicycling (maybe a tandem bike if low motor skills), scooters, skiing/snowboarding/sledding, obstacle courses, basketball (especially games you can make very visual like HORSE, around-the-world, etc), soccer, and frisbee are fun options.

For indoor activities (especially during those chilly winter months), playing musical instruments (drums, piano, horns, etc.), video games (such as Dance-Dance Revolution, Wii Sports, Wii Carnival, Mario Party and Wii Fit, etc.), listening/dancing to music, art projects, cooking projects, cleaning projects (could tie in with earning money to make purchases…great life skills), dance/holiday party for friends (include the kids in planning and setting up, etc…again, great life skills), and re-decorating/painting projects are always fun.

I always try to make sure, as I’m sure others do too, that the activities are fun and engaging, but also working on some life skills. Additionally, I always make sure that the kids are part of the planning process to ensure that they are engaged in the entire process and equally enthusiastic to do the activity…not just doing what an adult tells them to do…again that goes back to building life skills including organizing and planning their own activities.

Let me know if YOU have any other ideas!

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