As your autistic children transition into their teenage years, it’s important for parents to guide them in finding meaningful activities. While all teenagers benefit from extracurriculars that help them grow and adapt to the world around them, this becomes especially crucial for teenagers with autism.
As autistic individuals have unique needs, it’s essential to tailor activities for teens with autism to their specific requirements. So, what are the best options for engaging them in meaningful and supportive tasks?
Download your FREE guide on
Autism in Teens: Puberty, Expectations, Symptoms, and Treatments
Therapy activities for autistic teenagers
Where your teenager falls on the autism spectrum will determine what types of activities are available for them. However, therapy can often provide activities for autistic teenagers across the entire spectrum.
Different therapies include:
Art therapy
Some autistic teenagers may find joy in art. Painting can help them express emotions with which they may be struggling. Drawing can serve as a visual sensory stimulation.
If your teen enjoys art but struggles with its more complex aspects, coloring books can also stimulate the senses. Some autistic teenagers may find a mask project to be therapeutic.
Decorating and wearing a blank mask may appeal to their artistic preferences and address the masking issue among autistic individuals.
Music therapy
While art therapy may tackle visual activities for autistic teenagers, music therapy can provide sensory stimulation for the ears. Listening to music has been shown to help with emotional regulation and sensory integration.
Some autistic teenagers are able to develop talents with musical instruments that allow them to play music to promote relaxation. Dancing to music has also proven to be an effective activity for autistic teenagers who need to express themselves through physical movement.
My teenage son has benefited from musical activities. He loves to play music as a calming technique when he’s in sensory overload. He plays classic rock and roll songs on his electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, or keyboard.
My son quickly learned the bass riff from “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes after watching my wife demonstrate it and one video. This was especially impressive since he hadn’t picked up the bass in a month before deciding to try the riff.
While picking it up that fast may not be in the cards for all autistic teenagers engaging in music therapy, it can still provide a necessary outlet for them.
Sensory play
For teenagers with more intense needs on the autism spectrum, sensory play may work better as a therapeutic activity. These sensory activities, often seen as for children, can still help teenagers with autism develop important skills.
Some of these activities include using tools such as:
- sensory bins filled with beans or sand,
- water and splash toys,
- play dough,
- weighted blankets, and more.
Sensory play has been shown to help develop and enhance fine motor skills. Plus, the weighted blankets can provide deep pressure stimulation.
Music therapy has shown to be a preferred activity for my current teenager. However, sensory play is likely to be the therapy we use for my younger son, who requires more support.
Outdoor activities
If your teenagers with autism are able to do so, participating in outdoor adventures can be a healthy activity. Being in nature can help engage and regulate sensory stimulation.
Plus, many autistic teenagers can use the outdoor setting to enhance their problem-solving skills through critical thinking.
Like what you’re reading?
UNLOCK FULL ACCESS (50%OFF)
This has proven to be a helpful therapy for my son. He enjoys hiking and following trails that show him new sights and sounds in the woods. He finds it calming when he’s in nature, and other autistic teenagers might be able to feel that same sense of calm.
Fun activities for autistic teenagers
Teenagers with autism may enjoy many fun activities such as games, sports, and hobbies. These activities can help develop social skills, improve communication skills, and promote physical fitness and self-esteem.
Games
For the less physically active, games can be a way to encourage skill development for teenagers with autism spectrum disorder.
Board games, video games, and puzzles are fun activities that can improve cognitive abilities and stimulate the mind. They also help develop sensory processing and encourage communication skills.
My autistic teenager loves to play board and video games with the family. He likes to roll the dice and move other people’s pieces on the board, which often helps develop fine motor skills.
Video games provide him an outlet to interact with others and can help develop social skills.
Sports
For more physically active teenagers with autism, sports can be a fun activity to provide them with an outlet. Some autistic teens will thrive in team sports like baseball, while others may need a more individualized sport like running or swimming.
Team sports offer valuable social interaction while improving communication skills, social abilities, and physical health. In contrast, individual sports provide a safe, supportive environment for autistic teenagers to grow, improving muscular strength and endurance.
Download your FREE guide on
Autism in Teens: Puberty, Expectations, Symptoms, and Treatments
My autistic teen tried multiple sports before finding the one that was right for him. He tried football, basketball, and soccer. However, he struggled with hand-eye coordination and the social skills necessary to be successful.
As he got older, he moved to cross-country and track. Competing in individual races allowed him to participate in a team sport without relying on the team for his actions.
Hobbies
If athletics and games aren’t for your autistic teen, many hobbies allow for creativity and self-expression.
While art and music can be excellent as therapeutic tools, they also shine as hobbies. Taking art or music classes can help autistic teenagers practice social skills, encourage collaboration and communication, and be tailored to each teen’s individual needs.
Another hobby that may help autistic teenagers with personal growth is cooking. While some teenagers with autism may only eat certain foods, others may enjoy expanding their horizons by making food for others.
Cooking teaches time management and planning while encouraging communication, especially when collaborating with another cook in the kitchen.
Activities to do with autistic teenagers
While looking for activities for autistic teenagers, it’s important that parents seek out things they can do with their children. There will be times when autistic teenagers struggle with their surroundings and will need a comforting presence to help guide them.
If your child loves music like mine, you can find ways to participate in the activity with them even if you struggle to play. Listen to the songs they are playing and sing the lyrics if you know them.
Encouraging their hobbies can foster a stronger bond with them around the activities they love.
If your child likes sports, practice with them. Although you won’t be able to compete in their games if they are on a team, they will enjoy practicing their skills as you play defender.
If they are runners or swimmers, join them on the track or in the pool. Participating in activities with your autistic teenagers can help them as they struggle with social or motor skills.
You can teach them new ways to try something while helping them understand why some actions are only appropriate around family members.
Daily activities for autistic teenagers
Parents should also help teach their teenagers with autism how to perform household chores as part of their daily activities.
Depending on their skill development, autistic teenagers could be taught how to fold clothes, set and clear the kitchen table, or sweep the floor.
Daily chores can teach autistic teens about the importance of these activities in daily life and encourage them to live independently when they grow older.
If teenagers with autism require more support, these activities may be something parents and teens have to do together, but they can still help develop and enhance fine motor skills.
Tailored activities for autistic teenagers
As autistic teens learn and grow, tailored activities may address their specific needs. They can provide structure for those who thrive on routine.
Like what you’re reading?
UNLOCK FULL ACCESS (50%OFF)
Whether it’s through therapy, sports, or hobbies, these structured activities can be meaningful for developing:
- social skills,
- language skills,
- communication skills,
- problem-solving skills, and
- social interaction.
Parents and caregivers need to work with their autistic teenagers and encourage them to try many different activities. My son wanted to start with sports, and if we hadn’t encouraged him to pursue multiple sports, he wouldn’t have found his way to running.
He struggled with soccer, football, and basketball before finding the one he was good at. Encourage your children to expand their horizons and adapt their activities to suit their needs.
As your teen learns and grows, a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages these activities can provide them with an outlet that helps them for the rest of their lives.
FAQs
Q: What should parents do when an autistic child turns 18?
A: Most autistic teenagers won’t need guardians when they turn 18, but some will. Families of teenagers with autism with high support needs may consider guardianships, conservatorships, advanced directives, power of attorney, and supported decision-making, depending on how severe their needs are.
Q: What is the best lifestyle for autism?
A: There is no true “best lifestyle” for anyone. However, autistic individuals benefit from structured routines, physical activity, a balanced diet, sensory integration, and access to needed therapies.
Q: What is the hardest age for autism?
A: There is no “hardest age” for autism, as each age presents its own unique challenges. Symptoms first appear in early childhood. Elementary school often presents increased academic, social, and behavioral expectations. Adolescence leads to hormone changes. Adulthood can lead to issues with social interaction, communication, and independent living.
Q: What makes autistic children happy?
A: Happiness looks different for everyone. However, autistic individuals may find fulfillment by focusing on their strengths, living authentically, and accepting support.
References
Davidson, B. (2023). Cooperative play in autistic teens (Master’s thesis, University of Lethbridge (Canada)). https://search.proquest.com/openview/1ccb86e1a998ac6e15315f141e943177/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Dean M, Williams J, Orlich F, Kasari C. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and social skills groups at school: A randomized trial comparing intervention environment and peer composition. School Psych Rev. 2020;49(1):60-73. doi: 10.1080/2372966x.2020.1716636. Epub 2020 Mar 30. PMID: 33041430; PMCID: PMC7540922.
Jiu, C. K., Gusmiah, T., Erwhani, I., & Febriyanti, I. (2020). Daily activities of teenagers with autism at home: a case report study. https://www.ijcmph.com/index.php/ijcmph/article/view/6701
Mozingo, M. M., & Rechowicz, K. J. (2023). Promoting skills in children and teens with autism spectrum disorder through play and steam https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/msvcapstone/2023/educationandtraining/5/
