The Importance Of Chores For Children With Autism
A few helpful tips for parents..
At MOTOR PLANit, we understand the importance of creating opportunities for children on the spectrum to develop life skills and improve self-esteem. One way to do this is through household chores.?
They can also be a wonderful way to bond with family and friends who may not know how to interact with a child on the spectrum. Some chores may eventually be tackled on their own, while others may always be a shared experience with a parent or caregiver. Regardless, your child will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in being able to contribute and enjoy time with you.
To help you get started, we've listed some of our favorite household chores, along with some tips on how to engage your child:
?? Watering plants: For older high-functioning children, use a popsicle stick with a color code to indicate how much or how little water each plant needs.
?? Folding laundry: Start with smaller items like socks and underwear before moving on to larger items. Allow your child to organize by size, color, or person if that's something they enjoy.
?? Making the bed: Use visual aids, show your child yourself, or use one of the many videos available online.
?? Simple food prep: Some children may be able to use knives and cut food, while others may be able to help with food prep like hulling peas or shucking corn.
We hope that this list helps you to create fun, engaging household chores for your child on the spectrum. Remember to keep things positive, build on success, and most importantly, have fun!