Fun Fall Activities for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Incidental teaching is an evidence-based practice that takes place in a natural environment. Learning opportunities such as practicing language skills, naturally occur when the child shows interest in a certain item or activity. It's my hope that as children and adults engage in the fun fall activities below, the child will find many natural opportunities to practice social skills.

DIY Snowglobe: Autumn Style

First, collect your materials.

• A plastic water bottle with the label removed.

• Glitter

• A funnel

• Food coloring

• Fall-themed beads

• Superglue

Now you're ready to make your Autumn Style Snowglobe. First, fill the water bottle 3/4 full of water. Next, add a few drops of food coloring. Then place a funnel on top of the bottle and pour in several tablespoons of glitter. Let your child choose several fall-themed beads and drop them in the bottle. Put super glue on the inside of the water bottle lid and screw the lid on tightly.

Finally, it's time to play! Your child can shake the bottle and watch the items swirl around in the glittery colored water. You can also use the bottle to play an I spy game with your child, simply ask them to look for particular items in the bottle and point them out to you.

Make a Leaf Rubbing

First, collect your materials.

• White printer paper

• Press and Seal plastic wrap

• Crayons with paper removed

• Pencils or charcoal

• Chalk

• A bag for collecting leaves

Now you're ready to collect leaves. Walk with your child through your yard, a neighborhood park, or any other wooded area where autumn leaves have recently fallen off the trees. Allow your child to collect a variety of leaves. Make sure the leaves your child chooses are fresh rather than dry and crumbly because these types of leaves don't work well for this activity.

Take the leaves home. Place an 8x10 piece of press and seal plastic wrap on a table or other hard surface. Place one or more leaves on top of the plastic wrap. If using more than one leaf, the leaves should not overlap. Then place a piece of printer paper on top of the leaves. Hold the paper in place with one hand and use the side of a crayon, pencil, charcoal, or chalk to rub over the leaves. You can find examples of leaf rubbings here.

Make a Pumpkin Flavored Mug Treat

First, collect your materials.

• A microwave-safe mug

• A box of Betty Crocker Mug Cake Pumpkin Spice Microvawe Mix with Cream Cheese Icing

• A tablespoon for measuring

• A plastic spoon for mixing the cake mix with liquid

• A plastic fork or spoon for eating the cake

• 1/4 cup milk or water for every cake you are making

Now it's cooking time.

1. Empty one packet of cake mix into the microwave-safe mug.

2. Add 3 Tablespoons of milk or water to the mix.

3. Use the plastic spoon to blend the cake mix and liquid together until smooth.

4. Put the mug in the microwave uncovered and cook for 1 minute.

5. Check the cake and if the top is mostly dry, the cake is ready. If it is still quite moist, cook it for an additional 10 seconds.

6. Put on oven mitts and transfer the mug from the microwave to a place where it can cool.

7. Allow the cake to cool for 2 minutes.

8. Open a packet of cream cheese icing and squeeze it on top of the cake.

9. Yummy! It's time to eat. Enjoy your cake!

.Source: 2017. Incidental Teaching Guide. [PDF] Knapp Center for Childhood Development, p.1. Available at: <http://knappcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Topic-3_Incidental-Teaching-Guide.pdf> [Accessed 10 October 2020].