Tag!
Tag is a simple game, and it requires almost no verbal communication. It’s interactive and fun, but nothing really needs to be negotiated.
They’re having so much fun in these photos, but I still couldn’t tell you if Mikey fully understands tag. He definitely feels ZERO negativity about being ‘it.’ It’s similar to how he feels about jenga. He takes out the pieces and puts them on top, but he’s not upset when it falls. Maybe he understands these games better than most.
If these types of games upset your child…skip them. I know as parents, we want our kids to do all the typical things, but if they don’t like those things, it’s really not worth it. Remember that they can grow to be a fully functional adult without ever playing tag or Jenga. Only do what’s fun (when the only point is fun). Save the challenges for the necessary life skills.
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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