How to Keep Your Special Needs Child Busy When Stuck Indoors?

With a mix of structure, creativity, and patience, you can keep your special needs child engaged and content indoors.

Keeping a special needs child engaged indoors can be challenging, but with some creativity and planning, you can provide enjoyable and stimulating experiences. From preparing a meal to storytelling, there are many ways to engage and enjoy with your child while being indoors.

1. Establish a Structured Routine

Children with special needs often benefit from a predictable schedule. Break the day into manageable segments with specific activities. For example:

• Morning Exercise: Start with simple indoor exercises like stretching or dancing to burn off energy.

• Educational Time: Use educational apps, puzzles, or games tailored to their learning level (Pennington, 2010).

• Sensory Play: Engage in activities like playing with kinetic sand, water beads, or sensory bins filled with rice or beans (Case-Smith et al., 2015).

2. Engage in Sensory Activities

Sensory play is crucial for children with special needs as it helps with sensory processing and can be soothing (Case-Smith et al., 2015). Consider these options:

• Sensory Bins: Fill bins with different textures such as rice, beans, or pasta. Add small toys or objects to explore.

• Art Projects: Use finger paints, playdough, or clay for tactile experiences

• Music and Sound: Let your child explore musical instruments like drums or tambourines, or simply listen to various types of music as it helps with social adaptation skills, further improving the parent-child relationship (Geretsegger et al., 2014).

3. Utilize Technology Wisely

While screen time should be limited, technology can be beneficial when used correctly (Pennington, 2010):

• Educational Apps: Select apps designed for special needs children that focus on speech, math, or reading.

• Interactive Games: Choose games that promote problem-solving and fine motor skills.

• Video Calls: Schedule virtual playdates with friends or family for social interaction.

4. Foster Creativity

Creative activities can be highly engaging and therapeutic (Epp, 2008). Here are a few ideas:

• Crafting: Provide materials like paper, glue, and markers for simple projects such as making cards or collages.

• Storytelling: Encourage your child to create stories, either by writing them down or acting them out with toys.

• Building Projects: Use building blocks or LEGO sets to stimulate imagination and fine motor skills.

5. Encourage Physical Activity

Physical movement is essential, even indoors, as it significantly reduces the stereotypy and self-stimulating behaviors in children with autism (MacDonald et al., 2011). Try incorporating these activities:

• Obstacle Courses: Create simple courses using pillows, chairs, and blankets to improve motor skills.

• Dance Parties: Play music and have a dance session to combine fun and exercise.

• Exercise Videos: Follow child-friendly exercise videos available online.

6. Introduce Mindfulness and Relaxation

Teaching mindfulness and relaxation can help manage stress and improve emotional well-being (Hwang et al., 2015):

• Deep Breathing Exercises: Practice deep breathing exercises together for calming effects.

• Guided Imagery: Use guided imagery recordings to help your child relax.

• Quiet Time: Set aside time for quiet activities like reading or drawing.

7. Practice Life Skills

Use indoor time to teach and practice practical life skills such as cooking or personal care. (Pennington, 2010):

• Cooking and Baking: Involve your child in cooking tasks like stirring and measuring, which can be both educational and fun.

• Cleaning and Organizing: Assign small chores such as organizing toys or helping with laundry.

• Personal Care: Practice routines like brushing teeth or washing hands with visual schedules to aid understanding.

With a mix of structure, creativity, and patience, you can keep your special needs child engaged and content indoors. Tailor activities to their interests and needs, and be flexible to adjust based on their responses. Creating a supportive and stimulating environment will make indoor days enjoyable for both you and your child.

References

de Richelieu, A. (n.d.). Mother and daughter preparing avocado toast [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-and-daughter-preparing-avocado-toast-4259707/

Case-Smith, J., Weaver, L. L., & Fristad, M. A. (2015). A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 19(2), 133-148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313517762

Epp, K. M. (2008). Outcome-based evaluation of a social skills program using art therapy and group therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Children & Schools, 30(1), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.1093/cs/30.1.27

Geretsegger, M., Elefant, C., Mössler, K. A., & Gold, C. (2014). Music therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004381.pub3

Hwang, Y. S., Kearney, P., Klieve, H., Lang, W., & Roberts, J. (2015). Cultivating mind: Mindfulness interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder and problem behaviors, and their mothers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(10), 3093-3106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0114-x

MacDonald, M., Esposito, P., & Ulrich, D. A. (2011). The physical activity patterns of children with autism. BMC Research Notes, 4, 422. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-4-422

Pennington, R. C. (2010). Computer-assisted instruction for teaching academic skills to students with autism spectrum disorders: A review of literature. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 25(4), 239-248. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357610378291