Show your autistic child how to do this as early as possible; most children are able to properly hold a crayon by age 4. [1] X Research source

Play-Doh and clay can help with dexterity. Your child can also try tasks like watering plants with a spray bottle.

This can be a good opportunity to spend relaxed quality time with the child. Let the child choose what they want to do, and do activities together.

Foam puzzles where pieces are shaped like letters Alphabet fridge magnets or window clings Singing the alphabet song

Autistic children often have a hard time being still for stretches of time, so aim for short reading sessions. Let them see you reading too, and leave age-appropriate books lying around the house so they can pick them up anytime.

Try a few different kinds to see which ones the child feels most comfortable using.

Once they get to letters, let them use large pieces of paper with big lines.

Some autistic children are not comfortable with wet, slimy, or other textures. If so, don’t push them to do this.

When writing their first words, choose words they like, such as their name, names of their favorite people, and names of their favorite things. Allowing the student to see a visual representation of what you’re doing can help them more easily understand what you’re expecting of them. [8] X Expert Source Laura Reber, SSPSchool Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.

For example, if a child loves loves watching birds, have them write about their favorite birds and the different birds they’ve seen recently. Special interests are a perfect way to help a child be interested and engaged. For example, if your daughter loves dogs, she might like writing a story about dogs with you. If you’d prefer the student write about a different subject, try giving them a choice between 2 or 3 very specific topics

For example, have the child see a picture of a cat to help them visualize a cat while they write the word “cat. ” Visual aids are also helpful if you’re trying to teach the definition of a difficult word or concept. [12] X Expert Source Laura Reber, SSPSchool Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020. For students who are learning to write longer papers, consider using a graphic organizer, which is a visual representation of all of the parts of a paper, like the introductory paragraph and supporting details. [13] X Expert Source Laura Reber, SSPSchool Psychologist Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.

For example, you can say, “Let’s get our crayons out and we’ll start an activity. First, let’s draw one line here. ”

For example, build a writing exercise into each day before or after lunch so that it becomes predictable. Don’t pressure the child. If they don’t feel like writing at a certain time, hold off for a little while. Present writing as a fun task rather than a chore.

If sitting down is hard, try giving your child an exercise ball or fidget-friendly seat cushion to sit on.

Your child’s school may offer services such as special education, a classroom aid, and additional help for reading and writing activities.

Find an occupational therapist by calling a local health clinic or getting a referral from your child’s physician.

Autistic adults remember their childhoods, including what it was like and what helped them best. Don’t assume that a capable or well-spoken autistic adult is “not like your child. " They may be very knowledgeable and may have had a difficult childhood themselves.