The Basics of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Training Series

Regional Autism Advisory Council of

Southwest Ohio (RAAC-SWO)

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.