Being on the autism spectrum affects all ages, and while neurodiverse thinking can bring great skills, such as pattern recognition, creativity, perseverance, empathy and lateral thinking to any team, it can also bring challenges to daily life. But no one has to go it alone.
For example, with an increased understanding of the autism spectrum, especially at a young age, apps such as Lingokids are supporting younger learners. Its educational content is built by a panel of experts that includes specialists in neurodiversity from the New York–based Child Mind Institute.
Learning activities for neurodiverse minds
Lingokids’ helps children develop their ability to communicate and make sense of a neuronormative world. With more than 1,600 playful activities aimed at kids between the ages of 2 and 8, there’s plenty to do, with specific tools tailored to many types of neurodiversity, including kids with dyslexia or ADHD.
In the app’s section for neurodiverse kids, there are activities that address learning challenges and help children develop necessary skills to aid their school life. For example, activities for those with autism focus on social skills and emotion recognition, while content for those with ADHD incorporates movement and fast-paced videos to improve focus and attention.
Adapting to the school environment
Lingokids encourages autistic kids to grow up to be confident, resilient adults who are prepared for today’s constantly changing world. Its learning activities cover diverse topics including engineering, reading, maths and mindfulness. The app also combines academic subjects such as social and emotional skills to help kids thrive at school.
Rhona Anne Dick, Lingokids’ education and child development lead, describes how every year, returning to school after holidays can produce lots of anxiety and kids need help to manage outside stressors. “Summer can be a great time for relaxing and spending time on hobbies; however, it’s important for children to gradually get back into a routine and gain confidence to go back to school. This can be especially challenging for some neurodiverse children.”
To support this time of the year, the Lingokids team have created the “Let’s Get Ready to Go to School” song activity to help autistic children ease back into school life – it familiarises them with morning routines and helps them get ready for class, showing them that some situations may not go as planned and that flexibility and resilience can be great ways to solve situations.