Extracurricular activities can be beneficial for autistic children because they allow them to develop well cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
The question is: What are the best extracurricular activities for autism?
A wide variety of factors may determine what activities are best suited for kids with autism spectrum disorder. It can depend on the child’s interests and where they are with social skills, communication skills, fine motor skills, and more.
Young adults can greatly benefit from extracurricular activities, as well.
Benefits of extracurricular activities for autism
Extracurricular activities can benefit autistic children, such as learning new skills. This is especially valuable for children who may feel isolated or behind in other areas of life.
Other opportunities that extracurricular activities offer autistic children include:
- practicing social skills,
- improving critical thinking skills,
- meeting new friends with similar interests,
- building confidence and self-esteem.
For example, if a child experiences excessive social anxiety when participating in recreational activities, they may benefit from structured school activities. They allow children to improve their social skills and feel more comfortable around others.
It’s important to emphasize that many of these people thrive when they participate in a structured activity.
As an autistic child receiving early intervention, I participated in a recreation center sports program on Saturdays and a Beavers program on Wednesdays. These activities helped me develop social, fine motor, and gross motor skills, building the confidence I needed for the challenges I would face in adulthood.
Types of extracurricular activities suitable for autistic children
The beauty of extracurricular activities is that no matter how skilled or what a child enjoys, they provide opportunities for everyone.
Art classes, sports teams, music groups, and clubs focused on activities like environmental care or board games offer something for everyone – including autistic students.
1. Creative activities
Many young people can take part in activities that emphasize creative expression. These types of creative activities may include:
- School play or musical
- Band
- Choir
- Art club (major art project, drawing, painting, crafts)
- Talent show
These activities allow others to appreciate an autistic child’s unique expression through art, drama, or music, fostering greater peer acceptance.
Plus, their fine motor skills and emotional regulation will likely greatly improve by exposure to the arts.
For example, my perfect pitch ability, which I learned around age 12, inspired me to join the school talent show and band.
2. Physical activities
Sports can be challenging for some autistic individuals due to difficulties with coordination and movement. However, trying different activities in a supportive environment can still be a positive experience.
These types of physical activities can include:
- Sports teams (basketball, baseball, football, soccer, volleyball)
- Cross-country teams
- Track-and-field teams
In eighth grade, my teacher encouraged me to try out for the flag football team, but my anxiety kept me from going. When he offered me another chance, I still said no.
Looking back, I regret not taking that step, but at the time, I was too worried about my skills and my peers’ reactions. Still, I appreciate how supportive my teacher was.
3. Life skills activities
Because many autistic people may struggle with independence, life skills activities can positively influence their growth in numerous ways.
These types of activities may include:
- Cooking classes
- Gardening clubs
- Mentoring younger students (lunch monitoring, tutoring, reading coaching)
In the past five years, I’ve occasionally taken cooking classes specialized for autistic adults. As I will soon have my own place, these classes have helped me gain further independence.
Special needs after-school programs
Special needs programs may be a better option for autistic children who struggle with typical extracurricular activities.
Such programs focus on their strengths, help improve areas of difficulty, and provide support for any challenges they face.
Here are the key features parents should look for when picking the right ones:
- Staff trained to work with autistic children
- Sensory-friendly environments (quiet spaces when necessary, for example)
- Small group settings that allow for more individualized attention
- Structured activities that match well with the child’s interests and needs
These types of programs may include:
- Adaptive sports leagues
- Social skills groups
- STEM clubs that encourage hands-on learning
In Grade 10, my high school had a social skills club for teens on the autism spectrum, run by specialized staff on the school board. It was a safe space where I felt I could truly be myself, and the club meetings were always fun. Such social activities can be very useful.
To allow your child to join clubs like these, you can check the following:
- Local autism organizations
- Community centers
- School programs for tailored after-school options
- Prominent autism organizations that provide services nearby
- Local YMCA adaptive programs
Tips for choosing the right activity for your child
As fun as extracurricular activities are, you must approach which one is right for your child with deep thought and understanding.
Ask yourself: How well would this align with my child’s interests, strengths, and sensory preferences? This will increase the chances that the child will have a positive experience with it.
You should try to identify the following:
- What does your child naturally enjoy?
- What are their sensory preferences?
- What is their social comfort level like?
Fortunately, many extracurriculars offer trial sessions. This allows you and your child to experiment with an activity without a long-term commitment.
Here, you can observe the child’s engagement and comfort levels.
You should pay close attention to details, such as:
- noise level,
- lighting,
- how structured the activity is,
- if the instructors have the right idea of how to work with the child, and
- what the group dynamics are like.
Supporting your child in their extracurricular journey
Similar to how many of us feel when we start new things, joining extracurricular activities can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. However, parents can do their part to make it a positive experience.
You can prepare and support your child by letting them know what will happen in advance. For example, if the child is joining a drama club, you can use a visual schedule to help them understand what exercises will occur before they take place.
You can also encourage small steps, like reminding them that they don’t need to fully participate on day one. They can start by watching the activity to see if they feel comfortable.
It’s always important to remember that each child can adjust at their own pace and that struggling on the first day may not always be indicative that it isn’t the right fit.
In addition, it will be a good idea to check in with the instructors about your child’s progress and challenges in the activity.
Finding joy in the right activity
Because every autistic child is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all type of activity. You should look into various options. Sometimes, it may take several until you find what works best for your child, and that’s okay.
Success isn’t about becoming good at something immediately; it’s about engagement, enjoyment, and personal growth.
When you stay patient, flexible, and supportive, you have a great chance of finding an activity that will allow your child to have meaningful experiences.
FAQs
Q: What are extracurricular activities for ASD?
A: These activities take place outside regular school hours and support the developmental and social needs of autistic people.
Q: What sport is best for autism?
A: Structured, low-contact sports, such as swimming, martial arts, and horseback riding, often work best for autistic people.
Q: What are the best hobbies for autism?
A: Activities such as painting, Lego building, music, and nature walks can greatly accommodate an autistic person’s focus and sensory needs.
Q: What exercise is good for autism?
A: Activities that involve movement but lower stress, such as yoga, swimming, and trampoline exercises, can be especially beneficial.
References
Autism Parenting Magazine. (2024, October 8). Will My Autistic Child Be Independent? 12 Ways to Prepare Them. Autism Parenting Magazine. https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/asd-independent-living/
Farrell, C., Slaughter, V., McAuliffe, T., & Mulvihill, A. (2024). Participation and experiences in extracurricular activities for autistic and neurotypical children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(11), 4152-4166. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-023-06142-z
McDaniel, S. L., Hall, L. J., & Kraemer, B. K. (2022). Exploring extracurricular clubs for building social competence of students with autism. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 840294. https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/325566
Mohamed, A. Y., & Ahmed, H. A. (2024). The Effect of a Program Based on Educational Games with Extra-Curricular Activities in Developing Some Life Skills for Children with Autism Disorder. Zanco Journal of Human Sciences, 28(s3). https://www.iasj.net/iasj/article/325566
Pappagianopoulos, J., Rouch, E., & Mazurek, M. O. (2024). Extracurricular Activity Participation Among Autistic Children and Adolescents: Buffer for Internalizing Conditions and Foundation for Friendship?. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(12), 4444-4455. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-023-06158-5
Salvador-Garcia, C., Chiva-Bartoll, O., Belaire-Meliá, A., & Valverde-Esteve, T. (2022). Motor Performance in School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Effects of an Extracurricular Physical Education program and socio-ecological correlates. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 34(2), 355-372. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10882-021-09802-z
The post Best Extracurricular Activities For Autism: A Parent’s Guide appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine.
Get a FREE issue of Autism Parenting Magazine at https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/freegift/
