Preschool (3-5 years):
- Activity: Sorting toys by color.
- Adaptation for low skill levels: Provide containers labeled with large, contrasting colors and encourage simple color matching.
- Adaptation for high skill levels: Introduce more nuanced color categories (light blue, dark blue) and challenge them to sort accordingly.
Preschool (3-5 years):
- Activity: Matching socks.
- Low skill: Provide large, mismatched socks with contrasting colors and patterns. Encourage simple matching based on visual cues.
- High skill: Introduce sorting by size (big socks, small socks) or type (sports socks, dress socks). Challenge them to pair up identical socks.
School-age (6-12 years):
- Activity: Creating a morning routine chart.
- Adaptation for low skill levels: Use pictures or pictograms to represent each step instead of written instructions. Allow for physical prompts and reminders.
- Adaptation for high skill levels: Give them more autonomy in designing the chart, incorporating choice and personalization. Allow them to track their progress with stickers or rewards.
School-age (6-12 years):
- Activity: Packing their own lunch bag.
- Low skill: Provide pre-cut sandwiches, snacks, and juice boxes in labeled containers. Let them choose which items to put in their lunch bag.
- High skill: Allow them to make choices about their lunch ingredients within set boundaries (e.g., choose one fruit, one protein, one healthy snack). Encourage them to pack and unpack their lunch bag independently.
Teenagers (13-19 years):
- Activity: Planning a family vacation.
- Low skill: Offer pre-selected destinations and activities. Guide them through researching specific things they’d like to do and see.
- High skill: Encourage independent research and proposal creation. Let them present their vacation plan to the family and incorporate their ideas.
Teenagers (13-19 years):
- Activity: Planning a weekend outing.
- Adaptation for low skill levels: Break down the planning process into smaller steps (choosing the activity, booking tickets, planning transportation). Offer pre-made options and checklists.
- Adaptation for high skill levels: Encourage independent research and decision-making. Allow them to manage the budget and delegate tasks.
Adults (20+ years):
- Activity: Organizing their finances.
- Low skill: Provide budgeting templates and simple tracking tools. Offer assistance with setting up automatic payments or bill reminders.
- High skill: Encourage them to explore different budgeting apps and investment options. Support them in setting long-term financial goals and managing their own accounts.
Adults (20+ years):
- Activity: Organizing a home office.
- Adaptation for low skill levels: Provide clear labeling and categorization systems. Focus on basic decluttering and creating designated spaces for different items.
- Adaptation for high skill levels: Encourage creative storage solutions and implement productivity tools like digital calendars and planning apps. Allow them to personalize their workspace.
Remember:
- These are just general examples, and specific adaptations will vary depending on the individual’s needs and abilities.
- Focus on building upon existing skills and interests to make the activities engaging and achievable.
- Celebrate progress and encourage independence, while providing support when needed.
- Incorporate sensory preferences and communication styles into the activity planning.
By being flexible and creative, you can make organizational activities enjoyable and effective for individuals with autism at any age or skill level.