Unlike many other autism treatments available today, we believe that there is no age limit to the brain’s ability to continue changing! We see a many families come into the program with teenagers and young adults on the spectrum that have gone on to see an improved quality of life. When you are choosing engagement activities to do with your teen, here are a few things to remember:
- The focus is more about competence then fun
- Ask them to help with one immediate step of a project to get started
- The experience sharing does not always have to include joy or laughter, but it can engage a sense of quiet pride
Here are 19 activities you can do right away with your teenager:
- Teach them how to drive! Start out by simulated breaking in the living room
- Basic activities, like laundry, can give a sense of independence
- Exercise together, lift weights, go hiking! (slow then fast)
- Taking out the trash, sorting, recycling
- Gardening, shoveling, spreading mulch, raking, weeding
- Nature walks, pointing out things of mutual interests
- Wash the car
- Bicycling
- Move furniture together
- Make snacks together
- Learn basic housekeeping – making the bed, cleaning windows, etc
- Map out bus schedules together, then take the bus to your destination!
- Buy a fish, learn about basic care, clean the tank, and assemble the filter together
- Organize family pictures
- Drum together in the car with your favorite music
- Go through your closets and see if there are any clothes you can donate
- Go wave jumping
- Walk down a path at night with one flashlight
- Writing letters to relatives – think about what would be of interest to the person you are writing to
Add your family’s favorite engagement activity in the comments below!
RDI is an autism treatment program that takes the power of remediation from the professionals and puts it in the hands of parents. Guided by certified RDI clinicians, parents are provided the tools to effectively teach Relationship Intelligence skills and motivation to their children.
Each child is provided with a tailored program to fit their particular needs while starting at the foundations of the disorder. Gradually as confidence and competence are shared and sustained RDI becomes much more than an intervention, it becomes a fulfilling lifestyle.
If you are interested in learning more about the RDI treatment model, go here.
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