Solutions & Strategies for Common Playground Behaviour

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The playground is often an extremely confusing environment for children on the spectrum. Playgrounds can be overwhelming in many ways; socially, sensorially and behaviourally. Children with ASD, ADHD,ODD often desperately want friends and to play with other children but don’t have the skills required. This can result in them getting in trouble for behaviour, becoming socially isolated, bullied or unable to maintain friendships. To overcome this, it is important schools implement proactive strategies to support students to engage appropriately in the playground.

These can include:

• Using social scripts (download how to write and use social scripts here)
• Setting up playground clubs and activities
• Having support staff teach students how to interact and engage appropriately with their peers
• Teaching students how to manage their emotions (see emotional regulation blog here)
• Setting up a passive playground or quiet area in your playground (Range of ideas in my Developing Social Skills book)

Below are a number of common playground behaviours and suggested strategies to make a difference for the kids you know. Many of these strategies are from my Developing Social Skills book which is a great time saver with ready made social scripts and activities for the individual student or whole class.

See page references in the table for where to find in the book.