At-Home ABA Therapy Activities

Visual Procedures

Remember that our goal is to help our little ones master essential self-care procedures by way of ABA therapy activities at home. One way to do this is to create visual examples of each expected task and post them somewhere accessible for your child to see.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Visuals

For example, if you’re working on getting your little one to wash their hands. Take a picture of your kiddo doing each step. This means you may have a picture of your child:

1. Turning on the water
2. Squirting a specific amount of soap on their hands
3. Rubbing their hands together to the count of 60 or as long as it takes them to sing their ABCs
4. Rinsing off all the bubbles
5. Drying hands and shutting off the water using a towel.

Try not to have more than five photos; remember, we don’t want to make this an overwhelming process. While the aim is to provide clarity through these ABA activities, it’s essential to ensure that the process remains simple and digestible. We want to make it easy, fun, and stress-free. It’s a win-win situation because your child knows exactly what the expectations are, and parents can simply point to each step instead of feeling like an overworked broken record. Point to the visual cues and make these activities for ABA therapy for autism more effective and harmonious.

Visual Calendar Or Daily Lists

A key part of successful ABA therapy for autism at home is building a sense of security. When children know what’s coming next, it reduces the anxiety and stress that can come with change or uncertainty. Using a visual calendar or a daily list provides this predictability. It answers the silent question, “What’s happening today?” and gives your child a roadmap for their day. This simple tool empowers them by making their world feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Visual Schedule

1. Choose Your Method: Decide if a picture calendar or a written list works best for your child. For younger children or those who are not yet reading, a calendar with images of their school, a snack, or their home is often more effective. For older kids, a simple written list is a great way to build independence and literacy skills.
2. Map Out the Day: Sit down and write out the main events of your child’s day. Keep it simple and focus on the key transitions. For example:
   • Get dressed
   • Eat breakfast
   • Go to school
   • Have a snack
   • Do homework
   • Eat dinner
   • Play
   • Take a bath
   • Read a story
   • Go to bed 
3. Make It Accessible: Post the visual schedule or list somewhere your child can easily see and interact with it. The refrigerator, a bedroom door, or a designated “command center” are all great options. The goal is to make it a central part of their day, a tool they can refer to whenever they need a reminder of what’s next.

Making Visual Schedules an Effective Tool

Consistency is key. Make it a habit to go over the schedule each morning so your child knows what to expect. As they complete each task, celebrate their success! If you’re using a written list, have them cross off each item. This gives them a sense of accomplishment and reinforces the idea of following a routine. Visual schedules are a simple yet powerful way to make daily life more harmonious and empowering for your child.

Match the Color

Incorporate familiar household items into this fun ABA activity to enhance color recognition. Use objects that your child interacts with daily, like toy cars, crayons, or socks. Choose one item and encourage your child to match it with other items of the same color. Initially, focus on identical shades to build confidence. As your child progresses in their ABA therapy activities at home, introduce varying shades of the same color to challenge and further develop their skills.

Recognizing Emotions

The recognition of emotions is crucial, especially for children with autism who might grapple with understanding and regulating their feelings. For this at-home ABA activity, print a variety of emojis, like smiley, sad, and angry faces. Lay them face down and let your child pick and identify the emotion depicted. This activity not only reinforces their ability to recognize emotions but also serves as a springboard for deeper discussions about their own feelings and those of others. 

Through ABA therapy activities at home like this one, children can gain a better grasp of the complex world of emotions, aiding their social interactions.

ABA Therapy at Home Beyond the Activities

These are just a couple of ideas to help support all your child’s hard work in autism ABA therapy at home. If you’re curious about other ways you can help at home, be sure to reach out to one of our excellent BCBAs. We are a team and here to help your child succeed and live up to their greatest potential.