mental retardation in adults, autism/activities Options

[pattyk View Member Profile]

I'm so glad I found this site! I work with mentally retarded adult men (mainly in their 40's and 50's) with autism and we are always looking for age appropriate activities for them. They like to go on short outings (an hour or two), of course they like to eat but many of them are on special diets (chopped or ground), and they like trying new things as long as they aren't too complicated.
I like to use sensory activities with them such as picture bingo because they have more success with that than with number bingo. When they see they can be successful in certain activities I think they will be more willing to try other things.
Has anyone else worked with this population? Are there any other activities that might work well with them?
Thanks, Pat

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[pattyk View Member Profile]

I'm so glad I found this site! I work with mentally retarded adult men (mainly in their 40's and 50's) with autism and we are always looking for age appropriate activities for them. They like to go on short outings (an hour or two), of course they like to eat but many of them are on special diets (chopped or ground), and they like trying new things as long as they aren't too complicated.
I like to use sensory activities with them such as picture bingo because they have more success with that than with number bingo. When they see they can be successful in certain activities I think they will be more willing to try other things.
Has anyone else worked with this population? Are there any other activities that might work well with them?
Thanks, Pat

It just kind of happened.........one of the clients was feeling down about missing his family, so he brought out his photo album and brought it to me while I was with another gentleman. He showed us a couple of his favorite photos (with the pertinant info written in along side of it) and I could see it made him feel better. The other gentleman brought out his photo album and we all went to sit on the patio to look at pictues and talk about family. I have a feeling this activity will grow as other clients showed a lot of interest in the photos and stories of family and family activities that they enjoy. Some of the clients do not communicate verbally but if we can get the family to write in the info about the picture for us, it would work......also, some of the family we already know as we communicate with them on a regular basis.
Pattyk