Compared with the long, and sometimes lazy days of summer, the fall season buzzes with holidays, activities, and a radically new daily schedule that’s often far busier.
When getting back into the swing of a new school year, there’s ample opportunity to explore all types of hobbies. It is worth taking some time to talk with your child about what they most look forward to in the upcoming school year, and what new activities they are interested in trying out during the after school hours.
Creating a well-rounded schedule between school and extracurricular activities gives a child a sense of security as they build familiarity with the stimulating environment of a new school year.
For parents who have children with autism, these after school activities are an ideal way to discover new experiences, hone social skills, and pursue their passions. It can be helpful for parents to look at some of the most popular extracurricular opportunities most schools offer, and how they can be especially beneficial for their children’s growth.
Visual Arts Clubs
Whether it’s drawing or painting, sculpting or crafting, there’s an almost endless assortment of visual arts clubs that facilitate learning and creative expression.
Visual arts clubs are particularly helpful for children with autism as they enable a new medium of both communication and understanding. Creative expression can be an effective way to channel complicated emotions for anyone, and channeling these thoughts and feelings into an art project creates a healthy outlet.
With visual arts clubs, students will benefit from having mentors, teachers, and other students present to help facilitate the experience. The space of a visual art club differs from that of a typical classroom, and the tactile experience of creating art makes it easy for children to stay engaged.
By first teaching visual arts techniques and then encouraging students as they grow, confidence can be built that students will be able to put into practice long after club meetings end.
Sports and Physical Activities
While the world of the gym can be intimidating from afar, once a child finds an activity or sport that matches their interests, it can provide a powerful social tool and boost physical health for children of all ages.
Find a sport or physical activity that your child truly enjoys; nothing that feels forced upon or like work. Many children have athletes or other aspirational figures they’d like to emulate, and this can be a helpful place to start the discussion.
Once the activity or sport identification is made, then parent and child alike can search for a group built around it. Leaders here can help teach communication skills, including both verbal and action based, which are critical skills for any student to learn in a non-academic environment.
The exercise element helps support the rest of a child’s busy school schedule, as students having a physically exerting task a few times a week can help their growing bodies and ensure better rest. It’s important to craft a balance between physical and mental tasks to build both and avoid overburdening either side.
During the school year, it’s understandable that children can feel cooped up and restless after spending long hours in transit to and from school and at their desks. Sports and physical activities provide a perfect counterbalance to combat this feeling and build confidence and social skills along the way.
Board and Card Games
For those who enjoy a little competition but could do without the sweat, clubs built around less physical alternatives like board and card games exist and are experiencing a resurgence in popularity.
Board and card games create a tidy, understandable world in which there are clear rules and goals. Learning to navigate such environments in a safe, methodical manner is a perfect undertaking for some children with autism. These games can subtly boost critical thinking and memory retention skills, all the while being fun and educational on any number of subjects.
Board and card games often involve a light competitive or cooperative element, so they can also serve as a wonderful way for students to make new friends with similar interests. These informal, social-building opportunities can build relationships that have a positive impact that lasts for years.
Right now, these types of games are increasingly popular among young students. They make for a wonderful break from digital screens and physically demanding activities, and for those entering a new school year, it can be just the right gear shift following a day at school.
Music Clubs and Practice
Learning to play and appreciate music is highly encouraged for anyone to pursue, but young children stand to especially benefit from exposure to this art early and often. Luckily most schools have multiple options when it comes to programs that support these activities, and if not, online or in-person tutors or programs are other avenues that can be explored.
It might take a little time to find the instrument that clicks with a child, and the learning curve to begin can be steep for some. With patience and practice though, practicing an instrument can be a powerful form of non-verbal language, and music can quickly become a favorite means to relax or express oneself. Some popular choices for children with autism are instruments like the ukulele, keyboard, and drums.
Listening to or playing music regularly also activates a unique part of the brain often missed in the rest of the school day. By incorporating some music practice into a child’s afternoon extracurricular activity schedule, you give them both a welcome change of pace and a new world to explore.
Stay Active
No matter what extracurricular activity interests your child, it’s important to recognize them early and build out a new routine for the fall season that will stick. These tracks will be easier to follow if the schedule has been made clear, consistent, and frequent check-ins with your child are made.
Extracurricular activities are an ideal way for parents to fill vacant schedule spaces without overburdening a child. By setting the foundation early for healthy habits that naturally pair with their interests, parents can rest assured they have set their child up for success in the new school year and beyond.
Want to learn more about KGH Autism Services and the programs we offer, go to KGHAutismServices.com/Our-Services. We offer a variety of services and programs that continue after school is over. Contact us if you are interested in learning more!
