The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
RAAC Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Task Force
Adult Training Series Modules
Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and Primary Characteristics
Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism
Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism
Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences
Module Five: Communication and Autism
Adult Training Series Modules
Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism
Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons with Autism
Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment
Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to TeachTeach
Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and Adulthood
Module Eleven: Safety and Autism
Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach
Persons with ASD may not learn leisure skills automatically.
Skills can range from:
None None Limited Limited
Big Idea
Leisure skills need to be taught.
Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach
Leisure activities are an important part of everyone’s life.
Persons with ASD may have limited interests.
We need to teach new activities to go with their favorite activities so they have more choices.
Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills
Some persons with ASD will prefer activities unique to their special interests.
If the person has a particular interest, use that to guide leisure activities (i.e. Likes music – listen to music, play music, go to concerts; Likes food – teach them to cook).
Some activities will need to be changed or adapted to be successful (i.e. recipe for cooking should be broken into simple steps with pictures).
Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills
A new activity will need to be taught step by step with help and practice.
Use a few clear words with visual and physical help when teaching an activity.
Strategies to Increase Leisure Skills
Leisure activities can be done alone or as a group.
Choices are important.Choice-making may need to be taught.Have a list or pictures of choices. Have a variety of activities so the person does not
get stuck in the routine of doing the same activity again and again.
Big Idea
Help the person with ASD choose a variety of activities so they do not get stuck doing the same thing over and over again.