• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Us
    • Media Kit
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

we know stuff

A Long Island Parenting Blog

  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Muffins
    • Meals
    • Drinks
    • Jams
    • Soups
  • Parenting
    • special needs
    • education
  • Crafts
    • kids
    • nature
    • stem
    • holiday
  • Travel
    • florida
    • long island
    • USA

0 September 3, 2015 Parenting

Indulging Special Interests for Children

Our Special Needs writer share some greats tips below about indulging special interests for children with special needs.
wks_specialinterests
For those on the Autism Spectrum, Special Interests are an incredibly important part of the human experience. Ranging from a love of trains to sports to superheroes, these interests pervade almost all aspects of life. For parents, constant verbal updates on the newest Avengers movie, including creation of plots, actor selection, director decisions and costuming critiques may make us…weary. But for the Aspie, these discussions never cease to be exhilarating. So, can a balance be made between mom and Special Interest? Yes!

Here are just a few ways to incorporate Special Interests into family activities.

  1. Have a movie night that highlights the Special Interest. This is super easy if your child’s interest is already on the big screen. If not, look for documentaries for those that love things grounded in the “real world” such as trains (think of railways across Europe, the history of the steam engine, etc.), world leaders (focus on a region or political preference) , and animals (consider domestication of horses, horse breeds, etc.). Many of these kids soak up facts like this mom does chocolates. The library can be your friend, here. *MOM TIP* stay off your tablet, etc., during this time, as your child will believe you are not fully sharing in this experience with him.
  2. Theme dinner around the interest. Does your child love Harry Potter? There are scads of websites that will help you theme a meal. Maybe she loves all things Scandinavian? This is a perfect way to introduce new foods as well as have some fun in the kitchen! Don’t forget to set the table to match the theme.
  3. Have a day of “free art”. This concept is super cheap and easy! All you need are (clean) recyclables, such as cereal boxes, paper towel tubes, as well as basic crafting supplies such as glue, tape, markers, paint, construction paper, cotton balls – and anything else to provide your child(ren) with tons to choose from! Clear off a work space and let them at it! You will be amazed at what they will create! *MOM TIP* Kids that are perfectionists may struggle a bit, but this is a good time to work on the concept of flexibility.

You may be asking (or having a family member wonder) why embrace and immerse the family into a child’s Special Interest? The answer is simple. It demonstrates interest in that child’s life. Your child will know this and it will mean so much to her! Trust this mom.

I’d love to hear your experiences below!

Julie

0
Share96
Tweet
Pin2
98 Shares

Categories: Parenting Tags: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

About weknowstuff

We Know Stuff is an award-winning lifestyle blog written by two sisters, Denine & Daniele. Based in New York, we cover a variety of topics that interest families such as recipes, crafts, pets, safer skincare, fitness, parenting, education, special needs, and travel. We Know Stuff won Best Blog of Long Island from Bethpage Federal Credit Union in 2017 & 2015. The blog was also voted #2 in Pop Sugar’s Circle of Mom’s Top 25 NY Moms!

Previous Post: « A Natural Skincare Routine With Burt’s Bee’s
Next Post: Garden Linguine Recipe »

Primary Sidebar

Food Advertising by logo
logo
Food Advertisements by

Load up on new recipes, exclusive goodies + more

get exclusive content
straight to your inbox!

© 2010-2021 We Know Stuff, all rights reserved. All images and content are the property of We Know Stuff. If you would like to use our images or content, please contact us. We serve as an affiliate for Amazon, and other organizations and individuals, whose products and/or services we recommend. In some cases, we receive referral bonuses or commissions for our promotional efforts. Any monies earned help us run and maintain this blog. Please read our Privacy Policy.
logo
Food Advertisements by

Footer

Stay Connected

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright© 2023 · All Rights Reserved · WE KNOW STUFF & ROCK SEA MEDIA Developed In Lousiana with Heart + Soul U

Follow on Instagram
Sign up for our Newsletter
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.