Occupational therapy

Here are practical, child-friendly, sensory-friendly activities to improve eye contact in children with ASD without forcing or causing stress. ⸻ ⭐ Principles Before Starting • Eye contact should be natural, not forced. • Use play, movement, and interest-based tasks. • Keep sessions short & frequent (2–3 minutes multiple times-day). • Reinforce with smiles, praise, or their favourite item. ⸻ ✅ TOP EYE CONTACT IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES (ASD) ⸻ 1. “Look at My Face” Surprise Games • Hold a fun toy (bubble, light-up toy) near your eyes. • When the child looks at your eyes, activate the toy. Purpose: Child learns that looking at your eyes = something fun happens. ⸻ 2. Peek-a-Boo – With Variations • Cover face with scarf or hands → reveal slowly. • Add expressions: happy, shocked, silly. Purpose: Builds curiosity + face exploration + spontaneous eye contact. ⸻ 3. Bubble Time Eye Contact • Hold bubbles close to your face. • Say “Look at me for bubbles”. • Blow immediately when they look. Purpose: Reinforces short bursts of eye contact. ⸻ 4. Food -Snack Request Game • Hold favourite snack near your eyes. • Wait 1–2 seconds for eye contact → give small piece. Purpose: Encourages eye contact during requesting. ⸻ 5. Mirror Play • Sit with the child in front of a mirror. • Make funny faces, mouth movements, popping cheeks, tongue movements. Purpose: Eye contact improves naturally as they watch both faces. ⸻ 6. Rolling Ball Eye Contact Game • Sit opposite child. • Call their name; wait for eye contact; roll the ball. Purpose: Name response + eye-to-eye connection. ⸻ 7. Turn-Taking Toys Examples: • Pop-up toys • Wind-up toys • Car tracks • Spinners Hold toy and wait for a glance → then activate. Purpose: Encourages joint attention + brief eye contact. ⸻ 8. Therapy Ball Bouncing • Child sits on physio ball. • Hold shoulders → bounce gently. • Pause → wait for eye contact → continue bouncing. Purpose: Vestibular rhythm + natural eye contact. ⸻ 9. Singing & Gesture Rhymes Use expressive facial gestures with songs like: • “If You’re Happy and You Know It” • “Wheels on the Bus” • “Row Row Row the Boat” Pause suddenly and wait for eye contact to continue. ⸻ 10. “I Have Something!” Mystery Box • Keep a surprise toy hidden • Show excitement on your face • Child looks at you → reveal toy Purpose: Encourages child to read facial cues. ⸻ 🧩 For Children with Very Low Eye Contact Try these sensory-adjusted strategies: • Use soft lights Hold a small light torch near your eyes (not pointing). Encourages looking at face. • Face frame Use a colourful paper frame around your face. • Side-sitting Do not sit directly opposite; sit beside → gradually shift to front. ⸻ 🌀 For Kids With High Sensory Sensitivity • Avoid strong perfumes, loud voice, or very close distance • Keep sessions short (30–60 sec at a time) • Use calm, rhythmic activities (swinging, rocking, slow bouncing) ⸻