Autism Therapy: Winter Therapy
What a fun week it has been for most of the United States! Ice storm, snow storm, record cold, power outages even as far south as our neighboring states: Tennessee and Arkansas (where some are STILL in the dark!). It made me think of a kind of autism therapy that we parents sometimes take for granted. It is US!
When our family lived in Broward County, Florida, we were without power quite a bit. You can imagine that we were hit quite frequently by thunderstorms, right? So, mom had to get creative with helping two scared little guys not only calm down, but entertain them for a few minutes or a few hours. Thankfully, we were spared the hurricanes that came through post 2004. I always had my mommy stash, because I never knew when it would come in handy.
Now, its time for some Winter Therapy. Time to share with you what that mommy stash was. And maybe you can improvise on it a bit. Because only you know your child’s needs.
When the kids can’t go out because it’s too cold, they get frustrated. They get bored. And they are bound to get into more trouble than usual. I know mine do. It’s a good time for some sensory Winter Therapy. If your child is able, let them help in the kitchen. Bake cookies. Squishing, mushing something with their hands is so good for them. Helping them work out their frustration. And what a great bonding time for the two of you!
Or, if you have a younger child, Play-Doh is wonderful!
Another great squishy activity is paint. Whether with a paint brush or fingers, it is a wonderful Winter Therapy activity to share with your child. You can set up in front of the most scenic window in your house and ask your child to paint what he sees. What a wonderful bonding activity.
If your children are “loners”, ask them to set up at a window and draw or paint what they see. My boys see things so differently, it is remarkable what they come back with.
Even though my boys have gotten older, we still enjoy our Winter Therapy days. They don’t draw as much as they used to. They’re more into video games than painting, but I still have my mom’s survival kit at the ready, just in case. My Autism Therapy kit: crayons, markers, scissors, colored pencils, tons of coloring books, sketch books, construction paper, finger paint, water color paint, paint brushes, board games…yes, it isn’t a kit. It’s a cabinet!
