Gardening with Autism: How Keeping a Garden Benefits Children with ASD
Gardening isn’t just a fun and rewarding activity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Helping to keep a garden also promotes the development of their functional skills. This article will examine how gardening with autism increases children’s communication and motor skills, sense of well-being, and sensory development.
A home or school garden is a safe, calming environment where children with ASD can feel comfortable exploring the outside world and learning about the growth of flowers, vegetables, herbs, and other plants. It also provides an important tactile experience that engages both their senses and imaginations. And, of course, getting a daily dose of sunshine and fresh air is always a plus. Here are some reasons why gardening, especially when paired with a treatment plan such as ABA therapy, can positively impact childhood development.
The Advantage of Autism Gardening Therapy
Autism gardening therapy is a wonderful introduction to the natural world. It teaches children about the growth of plants, but along the way, they are also acquiring the patience and perseverance that the activity requires. Gardening can keep children with ASD relaxed and focused on a series of tasks, and—when included as part of their daily or weekly routine, it can also provide the consistency they need. What’s more, gardening fosters children’s inherent curiosity in a setting that maintains their sense of security and serves as an opportunity to grow your bond with your child.
Here are some critical areas in which gardening proves exceptionally beneficial to children on the spectrum:
- Communication - Children with ASD often have difficulty with communication. And while gardening can be a quiet, solitary activity, it can also encourage children to want to interact with others. Once they learn the names of plants that have started to grow, they may ask questions about them. Or, they’ll ask for the tools and equipment needed for a specific task.
- Gross & Fine Motor Skills Development - Gardening is one of many outdoor activities that can stimulate children’s physical development. Tasks such as raking leaves and pushing a wheelbarrow will boost their gross motor skills, while planting seeds, sifting soil, and pulling weeds assists with developing their fine motor skills.
- Responsibility & Following Instructions - Autistic children sometimes find following instructions, particularly longer instructions, daunting. Planting a garden is a perfect way to offer them guidance and work with them on their ability to follow directions. Additionally, gardening enhances their sense of responsibility, as they’ll notice that plants are more likely to thrive when instructions are followed properly.
- Healthier Eating Habits - Parents of children with ASD often have difficulty getting their kids to eat vegetables and healthier foods. But by involving children in the process of growing fruits and vegetables from start to finish, they may feel more invested in them and thus more comfortable with trying them.
- Sensory Experience - Autism gardening therapy also encourages children to engage their senses, and sensory issues are common among kids on the spectrum. The sights, sounds, and textures of the garden may make them more comfortable with sensory experience, besides simply providing an informative activity in its own right.
- Inclusivity & Socialization - Socializing is often difficult for children with ASD. However, if they work together on a group project such as a garden, conversations may start more naturally and not feel as challenging.
Sensory Garden Ideas for Autism
Gardens can provide a plethora of colors, textures, and scents to open kids’ minds to nature. When planning a garden, pick out plants that come in a variety of colors for an inviting visual scene. Be sure to include aromatic plants, such as mint and basil, and fruits and vegetables that will add scent and taste to the garden. These sensory plants for autism will help to ensure that children have a positive and immersive experience of the space. Also, keep these things in mind:
- Some children with ASD are highly sensitive to light. Having a canopy or trellis near your garden can help with the transition from indoor light to sunlight.
- Start with small plants rather than seeds. That way, kids’ interest can be sparked immediately, and planting seeds can be introduced later.
- Decorate with small garden figurines to enhance the fun of the activity and promote conversation.
- Make a detailed garden plan and discuss it with the children. They can then look forward to the next steps and understand that a garden is an ongoing project.
If you have any questions about gardening with autism or available therapies, please contact us at Autism Specialty Group in Miami. Our professional and convenient services include in-home and virtual services via telehealth, as well as direct school and community-based support. We look forward to working with you and your child!
References:
https://www.gardenbenches.com/blog/autism-benefits-of-gardening/
https://kidsgardening.org/resources/designing-a-school-garden-youth-with-autism-spectrum-disorder/
https://www.speciallearninghouse.com/6-tips-to-make-gardening-with-children-with-autism-easy-fun/