Many parents and teachers of children with special needs, it can be difficult to help the child learn and play at the same time. Learning activities for children with autism and other learning disabilities need to be comfortable for children with tactile sensitivities while still being engaging, educational, and fun. Fortunately, many toys, games, and other learning activities for children with autism can be made with materials you already have at home.

When working with special needs children, it is important to listen to their wants and needs regarding activities. For example, if a child is sensitive to bright lights and sudden noises, giving them a game that flashes and plays music will not be fun for anyone. Try to find a game or toy that fits in with their interests as well as their comfort level.

Sensory tables are some of the most popular activities and games for children with autism. Children are able to experience a range of textures while learning about the various senses such as sight, smell, hearing, and touch. Children will also be able to hone their fine motor skills digging, building, and pouring substances on the table.

Other children may enjoy a matching station, where they are able to learn about puzzles and the relationships between objects. Young children will enjoy finding halves of a simple shape, while older children may prefer to match uppercase and lowercase letters, or more complicated pictures. This activity will encourage children to focus and play quietly, while understanding how images coordinate with one another.

Many special education programs for kids with learning disabilities look for activities that are simple to teach and easy to make, while still retaining their educational value. If you have any suggestions for fun learning activities for children with autism and other special needs, feel free to leave them in the comments.