ASD materials for active kids
Hi there! I posted a few days ago about ASD resources (CF in my first week with ASD population at a school). I was interested in resources for learning about/working with this population and I got several great recommendations that I'm still looking through (Thanks!).
Now I'm back to ask about materials. My first day went... not as expected. I get the impression that neither me nor my materials are very fun. I know that every child is different and it's difficult to give recommendations for this population, but does anyone have some ideas for materials that have worked super well for you with clients who are not very engaged/interested? The ages I'm treated are around 6-9 and then I have a few young adults. The younger ones showed a lot of echolalia, and I couldn't establish any interest or joint attention with my activities (which were basically just super duper materials, picture books and a Mr. potato head). All of my clients have limited expressive language skills, and some are nonverbal. With the younger ones I feel I need activities that really address joint engagement, because it was as if I didn't even exist. Also, I know one of my older clients loves magnets.
I am willing to pay for materials if you know of something that is super awesome (I'm desperate...) but also free/inexpensive materials are the bee's knees. I'm also thinking about physical games/activities for the younger ones, because they are super active- walking around the whole session- looking at pictures is NOT gonna hold their interest....
When I was in school the only ASD therapy we were taught was literacy-based language therapy- the kids I have will not sit down and read a book with me. I've talked to my supervisor, but she's only one person. So, I'm just trying to seek out other ideas.