Play is one of the most effective tools in ABA for children with autism spectrum disorder. When therapists use games to teach social skills, children learn without realizing they’re in a teaching moment. The right games create natural opportunities for kids to practice taking turns, reading social cues, and building connections with others in a fun and comfortable way.
These games work especially well during in-home therapy because children feel comfortable and relaxed in familiar spaces. Parents can also learn these activities through parent ABA training and use them throughout the week to reinforce what their child is learning.
Turn-Taking Games That Build Patience
Learning to wait for your turn is one of the first social skills children need to master. Simple turn-taking games provide a structured way to practice this skill while still being fun.
Board games made for young children are great for teaching turn-taking. Moving the pieces on the board helps children understand waiting. Therapists often start with games that have very short turns, so children don’t have to wait too long before they get to play again.
Card games help children learn turn-taking while also practicing how to ask and answer questions. When a child asks if you have a specific card, they’re practicing requesting information politely. When they respond to others, they practice sharing information. These back-and-forth exchanges are similar to real-life conversations.
Rolling dice games are another favorite because they’re quick and exciting. Each person rolls the dice, counts their number, and moves their piece. Waiting to roll keeps children interested while they wait for their turn.
Cooperative Games That Encourage Teamwork
Competition can be tough for some children with autism, so therapists often use cooperative games where everyone works together toward a common goal. These games reduce frustration and teach children that playing with others can be enjoyable.
Building games create natural opportunities for cooperation. When children build something together, they need to talk about which piece to use next and where it should go. Therapists support these moments by showing children how to ask for help and share ideas. Over time, children begin to use these communication skills on their own.
Puzzle activities work the same way. Instead of giving one child the whole puzzle, the therapist gives each person some pieces. Children must work together and share pieces to complete the picture. This setup creates many chances to practice asking for what you need and helping others find what they’re looking for.
Group movement games involve everyone in the same activity. Children learn to watch a leader and follow along with the group. This helps them notice social cues and copy what others are doing. The physical movement also helps children who learn better when they’re active.
Pretend Play Activities That Develop Imagination
Imaginative play helps children understand different perspectives and practice real-world social situations in a safe environment. Therapists carefully guide pretend play to help children build specific social skills.
Pretend play helps children try different roles and practice everyday interactions. They may take turns giving instructions or following directions, which helps them understand how people behave in different situations.
Toy figures and dolls can be used to show common social situations. Therapists use these toys to explain how to meet someone new or join an activity that is already in progress. Children can make the toys talk to each other, allowing them to practice conversations without the pressure of real-life social interaction.
Interactive Movement Games
Physical games that involve interacting with others help children notice people around them while having fun and staying active.
Catch and toss games teach children to pay attention to their partner. They need to watch where the other person is, throw the ball to them gently, and be ready when the ball comes back. These games work on eye contact, timing, and adjusting your actions based on what another person is doing.
Activity courses or play challenges become social when children take turns or work together. One child might hold a hoop while another goes through it. They need to coordinate and talk about when they are ready. Therapists can make the courses more challenging as children improve at working together.
Dance and movement games with music create fun experiences that children can share. These games help children watch and follow each other, noticing cues like when the music stops. Moving together helps children feel included and part of the group, even if they do not talk much.
Matching and Memory Games
Games that involve matching items or remembering where things are hidden help children practice paying attention and taking turns, while also building thinking skills.
Memory card games require children to watch carefully when other players flip cards. They’re learning to pay attention to what others are doing, not just waiting for their own turn. When someone finds a match, everyone celebrates together, which teaches children to be happy for others’ success.
Matching games can involve finding pairs of pictures, colors, or objects. Children might work together to find all the matches, or they might take turns finding matches while others cheer them on. Either way, they’re sharing an activity and responding to each other.
Bringing Games Into Daily Life
The best part about these games is that they don’t require expensive toys or complicated setups. Most can be played with items you already have at home. During in-home therapy, therapists show parents how to use everyday objects to create similar learning opportunities.
Through parent ABA training, you’ll learn how to turn ordinary activities into chances for social practice. The games therapists use during sessions can be used as examples that you can adapt and play during the week. The more your child practices these skills in playful ways, the more natural social interaction becomes.
Remember that the goal isn’t perfection in playing games. The goal is to use games as a bridge to help your child connect with others, practice important skills, and discover that interacting with people can be enjoyable.