The document describes a training series on autism spectrum disorders consisting of 11 modules that cover topics such as the characteristics and signs of autism, cognition and learning in autism, communication challenges, behavior issues, functional behavior assessment, and teaching play skills to children with autism. The specific section summarized discusses how play skills need to be directly taught to children with autism as they may not learn them automatically, and outlines strategies for increasing play skills such as adapting activities to interests and abilities, breaking skills into steps, using visual and physical prompts, providing choices, and initially practicing with an adult before peers.

1. The Basics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
RAAC Training Committee
2012

2. Child Care Training Series
Modules
 Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence
and Primary Characteristics
 Module Two: Early Signs of Autism
 Module Three: Physical Characteristics of Autism
 Module Four: Cognition and Learning in Autism
 Module Five: Autism and Sensory Differences
 Module Six: Communication and Autism

3. Child Care Training Series
Modules
 Module Seven: Behavior Challenges and Autism
 Module Eight: Understanding Behavior in Children with
Autism
 Module Nine: Functional Behavior Assessment
 Module Ten: Autism and Play Skills to Teach
 Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

4. Autism and Play Skills to Teach
Children with ASD may not learn play skills
automatically.
Skills can range from:
None Limited

5. Big Idea
Play skills need to be directly
taught.

6. Autism and Play Skills to Teach
 Play activities are an important part of a child’s life.
 Children with ASD may have limited interests.
 We need to teach new activities to go with their
favorite activities so they have more choices and
have activities to share with peers.

7. Strategies to Increase Skills
 Some children with ASD will prefer activities unique
to their special interests.
 If the child has a particular interest, use that to
guide play activities (i.e. Likes music – listen to music,
play with musical toys; Likes food – teach a simple
cooking activity).
 Some activities may need to be changed or adapted to
be successful (i.e. a game may need to be simplified).

8. Strategies to Increase Play
Skills
 A new activity will need to be broken down into
simple steps. Each step will need to be taught
separately with lots with lots of help and practice.
 New activities should be learned first with an adult
and then with peers.
 Use a few clear words with visual and physical help
when teaching an activity.

9. Strategies to Increase Play
Skills
 Play activities can be done alone or as a group.
 Choices are important when playing.
 Some children with autism tend to play with the same
toy over and over.
 Have several activities for the child to choose from.
 Choice-making is a skill and it may need to be taught.
 Have pictures of the available activities.

10. Big Idea
Help the child with ASD choose a
variety of activities so they do
not get stuck doing the same
thing over and over again.