Sensory activities can be very beneficial for adults with autism and learning disabilities. These activities can help to improve their communication skills, how they socialise, as well as developing fine motor coordination. Here is a list of fun sensory activities for adults with autism and learning disabilities that you can do at home.
Fun Sensory Activities For Adults To Do At Home
Gardening
Gardening is a great activity for adults with autism and learning disabilities that helps to engage all of the five senses. This activity will also provide the participant with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, while teaching the individual how to care for plants and animals. Gardening can be done in your back garden, and if you don’t have an appropriate space for this you can also plant flowers and herbs in small pots.
At NOW Group we have a local gardening group that meets regularly at our pottery in Crawfordsburn. Here our participants plant vegetables, flowers and herbs. It is a great social group where adults with autism and learning disabilities can bond over a common love of gardening. We love gardening and it is one of our favourite sensory activities!
Arts and Crafts
Art is a fun way to engage the senses and express your feelings. It can help adults with learning disabilities and autism to develop hand-eye coordination, stimulate the senses, and encourage them to pay attention to the world around them. Art is an easy activity to do within the home either alone or as a group activity with members of your family. Some of these activities can include colouring in, painting and sculpting.
Every Monday at our head office in Belfast, NOW Group hosts an art club. This is a great opportunity for adults with an interest in art to get creative together and socialise. For more information on our art club and how you can get involved, visit the services section of our website.
Cooking
Cooking is a fun activity to do within the home that helps to develop essential skills and build independence in adults with learning disabilities and autism. This sensory activity can be a fun day for the family, where you can cook together and sit down for dinner to try the delicious meal you have made. You can find some of these recipes online on BBC Good Foods, watching videos on YouTube or by following recipe books you have at home.
Listening To Music
Music is a wonderful way to engage the senses and improve communication skills. Sensory music experiences help develop social skills, fine motor skills, and ability to self regulate their emotions when their surroundings get too much. By exploring different types of sounds, adults with learning disabilities and autism can learn about new sounds and the environment around them. Sensory musical experiences are also a way in which you can connect and have fun with your family members and friends.
Support for Adults with Autism and Learning Disabilities in Belfast
At NOW Group we offer support for adults with learning disabilities autism in Belfast through our range of social groups. We work with our participants to support them in developing their communication skills, introduce them to adults with similar interests in their area and help to build their confidence. For more information on NOW Group and how we support adults with learning disabilities and autism across Northern Ireland, read our FAQ page today.
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