Simply put, an experiential activity involves doing and having the experience. Examples include:
- Making a sandwich,
- Creating a scrapbook,
- Building a baking soda volcano,
- Planting a seed,
- Constructing a solar powered car.
Why experiential activities?
Individuals with autism and learning difficulties struggle to learn in a traditional and structured environment. They may struggle with concentration, anxiety and interpreting social cues. Experiential activities can allow them to learn without being overwhelmed. It is playful learning! Here are other things experiential activities can offer:
- The experiences can be tailored to the individual’s interests (e.g., cooking, craft, construction).
- It promotes creativity.
- It is fun and engaging.
- It uses all the senses: touch, smell, sight, sound and taste. This allows them to experience this moment with their full capacity and concentration.
- Using actual experiences to learn concepts and skills are much more effective than simple being told about them.
- It allows for skill development in a safe and controlled learning environment.
- It allows for repeated practice to consolidate skill development. The activity can be easily replicated at home for generalisation.
- The task can be made easier or harder depending on the individual’s skill sets and rate of learning.
- It allows opportunities for individuals to learn important life skills (e.g., safety in the kitchen, preparing meals).
- It facilitates skill development in a naturalistic environment. These skills can involve:
- Following directions,
- Sequencing,
- Learning new vocabulary (e.g., action words, describing words, emotion words),
- Personal recounts,
- Following a group plan,
- Problem solving,
- Learning language to negotiate with others,
- Sharing,
- Taking turns in games and conversation,
- Staying on topic whilst talking to others,
- Learning to recognise what another person is thinking and feeling.
- Sometimes, the experiential activities can incidentally help children with other skills (e.g., fine motor skills) because the activity may involve physical tasks like cutting and sticking.
- In a group setting, individuals can practice social strategies with peers in a naturalistic environment (e.g., jointly engaging in enjoyable activities, discussion of memorable past experiences).
Here at Innerlink Therapy (formerly Speech in Focus, Speech Pathology Services), we incorporate experiential activities in many of our therapy sessions with our clients. We have seen a tremendous level of client engagement and enjoyment as well as the development of skills which may not be achieved with a traditional therapy approach. The kids generally have fun and, to them, it does not feel like they are doing therapy at all!
We offer a group program with a focus on developing key social communication tools whilst incorporating engaging experiential and hands on activities! The group program runs during the school holiday periods.
Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-putting-seeds-on-a-pot-11286030/