pattyk

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

Hi Yvonne , I'm still very new to this and love to hear ideas from others who've "been there and done that"! My clients love music (as do I) and there's something for everyone. They can listen to cd's or the radio, you can invite a local group in to sing or play music, you can bring simple musical instruments for them to play to music on the radio, my guys watch concert dvd's (I think Elvis is their favorite) and go to a dance twice a week where even the wheelchair bound shake their booties! One of my clients is a 50 something y/o mr man with autism...he was always very quiet at first but now that we offer more music therapy we've discovered that he loves to play instruments (several) and sing (has always loved to dance) and is very good at it! I would like to help him and one other gentleman practice a song to sing at church on Sunday with the Chapain, if that's what they decide they would like to do. Pattyk

I work in Corpus Christi, TX

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