Sneaks

Autism Strengths & Interests

Short Summary of Strengths & Interests

• Has good visual matching skills.
• Can notice actions of others.
• Likes card games.

Is good at matching visual items

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Sneaks is a game requiring players to match the numbers on cards in their hand to get four of one kind. Thus, it is a good match for children who are good at matching numbers or symbols. In addition, colors on the cards assist the players in making matches.

Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns

This game is not appropriate

Likes to put things in order or a sequence

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
The goal of Sneaks is to be the first person to get four of one kind. For children who enjoy grouping like things together will build on visual mapping skills playing Sneaks

Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind

This game is not appropriate

Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics

This game is not appropriate

Is very concrete and literal

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Even though Sneaks involves numbers, it is a very literal game. Players are matching the numbers, not doing math. Therefore Sneaks appeals to children who enjoy literal activities and can also be a good introduction to numbers for children who are just learning early math concepts.

Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)

This game is not appropriate

Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Some children are good at logic and reasoning, but do not like to discuss or verbalize their thinking. In Sneaks, children use their logic to determine what card to pass to the player on the left while trying to be the first to create four of one kind. However, they do not need to discuss and talk about their reasoning and strategy.

Likes spatial problem solving

This game is not appropriate

Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good fine motor skill

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
For children who have good dexterity, especially those who enjoy playing with cards, will be able to emphasize dexterity playing Sneaks.Description VERBIAGE GOES HERE

Likes established routines or set ways of doing things

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Sneaks follows the same routine every game. Pick up card on your right and discard to person on your left. It is a very rhythmic, set way of playing and, therefore, may appeal to children who prefer predictable activities.

Likes to use and has good musical abilities

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good drawing skills

This game is not appropriate

Autism Special Considerations

Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Sit or stand at an angle to the child, so direct eye contact is not needed.

Look at the game instead of each other.

Use unusual or exaggerated inflection to begin a communication about the round. This attracts the child's attention.

Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Combine short verbal instructions with visual and physical examples of each step.

Check for comprehension by asking the child to show you what to do next.

Let children read the directions as they are explained. Visualizing the words is often a stronger learning method for children with autism.

Practice several hands before starting the game.

Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Respond to immediate echolalia (repeating what was just said) by rephrasing the child's response into a correct format, so the child can hear and repeat that phrase. For example, assume you are playing with a child named Andy and you say, "Your turn," and Andy repeats, "Your turn." You can say, "It's Andy's turn. You say, my turn." This allows the child to hear and repeat the correct response. Eventually, the child will pick up the pattern of response.

Delayed echolalia (repetition of previously heard comments) may have a hidden meaning or association. Look for connection in the phrase used to the current situation. For example, the child says, "After these messages we'll be right back!" Think what the repeated phrase is associated with for the child. Try to interpret what is meant and rephrase it for the child. For example, you might respond by saying, "It sounds like you want a break for a few minutes. Is that what you mean? You can tell me, 'I need a break.'"

Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The game can be played without talking, but if the child talks about an unrelated topic, remind them watch the sneakers to refocus attention. Practice phrases for commenting on others' play actions. For example, you say to Joe (who is playing with you), "Right on! You got a sneaker." Then ask the child, "What did Joe do? "

Remind children about listening and watching others' before making their own comment or action.

Extend the child's action to make a correct response. For example, if the child passes one, but forgets to take one from his right; say, "Look right. There is your card".

Reinforce attention and actions by commenting on what was done correctly. For example, "You saw them take a sneaker and grabbed one! Way to go!

Has difficulty producing speech/communication

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Speech is not needed to play the game.

Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Directions and tasks are simple.

Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children who have difficulty paying attention to others' actions may have difficulty noticing others taking sneakers. Unless the child can learn to watch the center of the circle for other's actions, the game may be inappropriate.

Do several practice rounds with players "sneaking" the shoe from the center and reinforce the child's attempts to pay attention. This game may provide good practice for paying attention to others' actions if the child can learn this behavior.

Let the child practice trying to take the shoe without others seeing. You will need to give clues about how to do this.

Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Reduce extraneous noise or allow the child to wear head phones or ear plugs if loud sounds cause anxiety.

A weighted vest worn during the game may provide additional pressure input and thus reduce fidgeting due to sensory needs. Pressure can be calming when used for no more than 20 minutes at a time.

Practice a phrase to ask for help and role play situations in the game where it is needed.

Provide techniques for self-calming, such as holding a special toy.

Allow time for movement. For example, a child who needs to move frequently can be given an opportunity to 'celebrate' their turn by running around the table or jumping up and down 10 times.

Has short attention span for non-preferred activities

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Provide a break when needed.

Incorporate a motivating activity as part of the play. For example, each player gets to manipulate a fun 'fidget' toy, such as a stress ball or squeeze toy after a round.

The game moves quickly, so if the child is enjoying it attention span should not be problematic.

Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Play games at the same time every day, so the child anticipates the game routine.

Change the location of the game, so the child may play in different rooms, at the table, or on the floor. This will build tolerance for variation. Prepare the child ahead time for the introduction of a new game. Talk about aspects that will be motivating for the child, and let her explore the parts of the game before setting out the whole game.

Provide a structure for placement of game pieces that can be the same each time the game is played. For example, have a specific location for where the board goes, the pieces, etc. Provide choices for how the child can be involved in set up or clean up. For example, you might ask, " Do you want to be a dealer or a regular player?"

Use an object cue. Let the child hold an object from the game or activity you want to introduce prior to the transition. For example, if you were intending to play Sneaks you would hand the child a Sneaker from the game and say, "Look here is a sneaker. What game does it go with?"

Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Some children have difficulty reading others' cues and understanding that their actions indicate what is intended. Children may need to be trained to watch others hands to see what they are going to do.

Ask child to explain their own feelings and intentions,

Ask child to explain why other players did specific actions in the game.