What to do in summer..? Recommended STEM activities for children on the autism spectrum (ASD)!

When I meet college students on the autism spectrum and their parents, I learn about the process that parents have put in for a long time to prepare for their children's careers.

I feel truly respected, and it makes me think about the importance of discovering and nurturing the opportunities and talents of our children from an early age.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 17% of children ages 3 to 17 have one or more developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They also say that many of them are drawn to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) when they are exposed to this field.

One study found that 34.1% of youth with autism spectrum disorder chose a STEM major in college. This appears to be a much higher percentage than the 22.8% of the general student population.

But despite their talents in science and technology, youth with disabilities say they are often excluded from STEM activities due to misconceptions about their learning abilities.

Megan Vinh, advanced technology support specialist at the Frank Porter Graham Institute for Child Development, said that students with ASD and learning disabilities are often pulled out of classes to receive other services , and that some schools believe these students can gain more from other learning areas. Explain that there are times when thinking about lowering the priority of learning science .

When children are young, there can be many barriers that prevent them from actively participating in school STEM activities.

Therefore, in order for children to improve their overall learning ability and increase their access to higher education, it would be a good idea to engage in a lot of STEM activities from an early age.

So, let’s find out how STEM activities affect cognitive development?

1. Improve cognitive and social skills: Research shows that structured STEM activities can significantly improve cognitive abilities and social interactions in children with ASD. Hands-on activities such as building and coding are particularly effective in promoting engagement and learning ( Tech Bootcamps UTexas ) ( Amen Clinics ) .

2. Benefits of Robotics and Coding: Research shows that robotics and coding activities improve executive function and problem-solving skills in children with ASD. These activities can be very attractive to children on the autism spectrum by providing a structured and predictable environment ( Careers with STEM ) ( Amen Clinics ) .

3. Sensory Integration and Learning: Integrating sensory elements into STEM activities can improve learning and memory. Activities that include tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation have been shown to help children with ASD process information more effectively ( Tech Bootcamps UTexas ) .

What are some specific STEM activities?

1. Simple science experiment:

• Volcano Eruption: How about teaching basic chemical reactions by creating a volcano using baking soda and vinegar? It's fun, and it's a hands-on experiment that helps capture children's interest and explain scientific concepts in detail.
• Grow a Crystal Garden: Growing crystals using a simple salt solution seems to introduce the concepts of crystallization and patience and provides a visual and interactive learning experience.

<National Geographic & The Science Kid Youtube video capture>

2. Robotics and Coding:

• LEGO MINDSTORMS: A program to create and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS. It appears to be an activity that can be done by combining various engineering concepts and technologies.
• Scratch Programming: The Scratch platform is a program that allows you to create simple games and animations. I like that it provides an easy-to-use interface that makes it easy for children to use and allows them to learn coding naturally.

<Scratch & Lego website capture>

3. Engineering Project:

• Building structures: Building structures using blocks, Legos, or other building materials improves spatial awareness and fine motor skills. Because it allows children to explore engineering concepts through play, I always include block or Lego play during ABA therapy. Blocks/Lego seem to be really effective teaching aids for cognitive development.
• Building Bridges: Learn principles of engineering and physics by building bridges using materials such as straws, popsicle sticks, or cardboard. I understand that in Korea, this project is carried out in places such as architecture classes for children. When a child I taught came to this class and showed me how he had built a bridge, I thought it was a really good task for understanding concepts such as spatial concepts and structural design through play.

<Bridge building assignments on the Teachers pay Teachers website: link >

 

 

4. Technology and interactive apps

• Osmo Learning System: Interactive educational games that combine physical play and digital technology cover a variety of topics including coding, math, drawing, and more. Osmo's interesting activities help develop a variety of STEM skills (I know there are probably many similar programs in Korea. If you have a good program, please recommend it!)
• Codable: A coding app designed for kids that introduces basic programming concepts through interactive puzzles. Codable's interface and gamified approach seem to make coding fun and accessible.

<Capture from Osmo & Kodable website>

5. Math game:

• Visualizing Math Concepts: Visualizing math concepts using physical objects like counters, blocks, and marbles helps children understand and apply math concepts by seeing and touching abstract concepts. I think it is most effective for young children who have difficulty with math to learn through hands-on, hands-on learning.
• Math board games: Games like math bingo and number dominoes make learning math fun and playful. These games strengthen math skills and promote social interaction.

<Pictures of Math Bingo and Math Domino found on the Internet>

Please also check out additional resources!

• Science Buddies : Offers science projects and activities tailored to a variety of ages and skill levels.
• Tynker : An online platform that offers coding courses and projects for children, including children with ASD.
• UT Austin Boot Camps : A resource guide for STEM activities designed specifically for students with autism.
• Careers with STEM : Provides easy and fun STEM activities for students with developmental disabilities.
• Amen Clinics : Discuss why students with autism prefer STEM majors and the benefits of a STEM education.

Why not spend this summer doing such diverse and fun interactive STEM activities? We can also support cognitive development and see if your child is interested or talented in STEM.