1.) “Your child wants to have fun just like other children do! Children on the Autism spectrum may first need to calm and soothe themselves in the face of a fast-paced, unpredictable world, but they will always show you when they are ready to play!
2.) “When you act silly and prioritize having fun you send a message that your relationship and friendship is more important than anything else. This becomes a powerful benefit for anyone on the Autism spectrum where cultivating an interest and/or navigating the skills of relationships is challenging.
3.) “Focusing on playing first, without asking anything of your child, will create the space for you to become a detective of what they love. You discovered a new motivation if they smile, giggle, or laugh at what you just did!
4.) “When your child is highly motivated during interactions they are more likely to respond to your requests during games. This is great news, because when you prioritize playing, you are creating more opportunities to help them with important social skills!
5.) “We want to nurture a desire within our children to play because they WANT to and not because they have been told to. If you play with no expectations and joy in your heart, you allow your child more chances for your child to know what friendship actually feels like!
Written by Suzanne Pruss, Son-Rise Program Teacher