Activity for a Social Group

Post Reply New Topic

I am a supervisor/organizer for an autism social group for younger kids (around 12-14 years old). They are not Asperger's, but mostly more severe cases of high-functioning to moderate-functioning autism. For example, there is one participant who does not obey commands well; one time, he was sitting on the floor, and when asked to stand up, he would not. In his case, only when his interest was mentioned, he started to process what was being said and finally obeyed. I am trying to find games that would get everyone to participate actively as part of the group. The only game that has worked well so far was this toilet paper game, where each participant ripped off an indefinitely long piece of toilet paper and said a number of things about themselves that corresponds to the number of squares in the piece of paper that they have obtained. Another game that worked was Would You Rather, where one person comes up and asks the rest of the group what would they rather do, and assign two sides to two of the options. Any other game that requires following complicated directions or abstract thinking (for example, making things up, comprehension of meanings, and having to remember directions without being reminded of them) hasn't worked well. There are two members of the group who are more high-functioning, and they're the ones who usually end up participating. There also is a Nindendo Wii there, which most members of the group are obsessed with, but playing it is not a very social activity. Is there any other game you can think of that could work?

Maybe ask them what they want to do. Although they all might end up choosing the Wii

I think if you get the right games for the Wii, it can be a very social activity. Check whether the kids are OK with competitive games before you try those, though.

have everyone write down the name boldly on an index card of a person they admire and respect that everyone in the group knows. Teachers, parents, actors, scientists, historical figures, etc. can be different topics for different games. Gather them all up and shuffle them and then have everyone stand with their backs to you while you tape a card to each back. Then let them mingle with each other asking questions as to who the name is on their backs.

This really takes people out of themselves as it is not 'them' they are communicating to each other about, and it is just fun!

Last edited by sinsboldly on 20 Feb 2010, 9:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.

We play competitive games. The problem is, though, that only the most high-functioning members end up participating. There are two controllers and seven regular members, so most just end up watching others play. Besides, there is one girl who does not play the Wii (she's the only girl in the group). She always just ends up wandering around and messing with the computers and the phones, needing constant supervision.

That's a great idea! I need more ideas, so that I can suggest it to the staff and see if they approve. The group is held once a week, so we need to find plenty of things to do.

I can list a few I play online that you might be able to adapt to real life. I belong to an internet group for gerbil owners. (gerbil forum proboards).

Twist a wish:
Person one: I wish I had a car.
Person two: You have a car but it breaks down a lot. I wish I were taller.
Person three: You are taller but people get upset with you because they always have to look up to you so their necks hurt. I wish it weren't so cold.

Wrong answers to obvious questions:
Person one: What color is the sky?
Person two: Your mother's maiden name. How many fingers do we have?
Person three: the color orange.

This or that:
Person one: blue or green?
Person two: green. up or down?
People can use just about anything in this game so there is no worry about staying on topic or anything.

Edit: Another one is The Person Below Me (TPBM)
Person one: TPBM likes blue
Person two: no, TPBM watches a lot of TV
Person three: Yes TPBM has brothers and sisters

Last edited by Uhura on 20 Feb 2010, 9:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

The Wii does not sound like a very useful tool for a social group unless they are learning turn taking or something co-operative. It is the screen that draws everyone's attention. When young people don't have something to do, they get bored - that is when they often start to get in trouble (although not always).

Could you find some role-playing cards? Charades? Pantomime? Living pictures? Two truths and a lie can be fun.

The "would you rather" is a good game because it gives forced choices. This alleviates social anxiety and the students do no have to use abstract thinking. I am sure you can think of a number of scenarios that you could use forced choices for : A person stealing from the store, what do they do? or A person is cheating on a test, what do they do? or a person is bullying someone else.. etcetera... you then right up forced choices that the person has to choice. Where the thinking comes in is that the person has to justify their answer. Many autists have very strong opinions, this would probably be a good way to get people talking.

There is a very good book called "Acting Antics". here is the website. http://www.actingantics.org/ You may be able to find it in a library.

Google search things such as "icebreakers" "social group games" and "co-operative games".

HTH will come back later if you don't have enough stuff.

Fun for all ages: Duck Duck Goose

Eddie

We have actually tried to play this game, but it does involve abstract thought (talking about something that does not exist). One member actually said that it was hard for him to think about a lie, and he's one of the two most high-functioning ones, which surprised me.

Thanks for the website! I'll check it out.