---
title: What Are Play Skills? How to Build Them in Autistic Children
description: Learn what play skills are, how autistic play skills can look different, and discover some practical ways to build them.
image: https://neuronav.org/hubfs/174.jpg
---

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# What Are Play Skills? How to Build Them in Autistic Children

![A child playing with a toy train on a living room floor.](https://neuronav.org/hubfs/174.jpg)

From the outside, play looks simple, but it is one of the main ways children learn. If you are raising an autistic child, you may have wondered why play looks different for them, or how you can join in. This guide explains what play skills are, what they can look like, and how to build them in useful ways that fit your child.

## What Are Play Skills?

These are the skills children use to engage with their world. They use play skills to explore objects, imagine scenarios, take turns in games, and interact creatively with others. Through play, kids build language, problem-solving, motor skills, and social understanding. This is why so many therapists and educators focus on play skills in autism.

Most children move through predictable stages of play development. They start by exploring alone, then playing beside peers, eventually playing *with* peers by sharing, playing pretend, and engaging in other types of cooperative play. Autistic children may move through these stages at a different pace or in a different order, and that is not a flaw.

Autistic play skills often show up differently. A child might:

- Line up toys or sort them by color, rather than act out a story.
- Repeat the same activity because it feels predictable and calming.
- Focus intensely on one part of a toy, like the wheels of a car.
- Prefer solo play or parallel play instead of group games.

These styles are authentic and healthy ways of engaging with the world. The goal of building play skills is not to make a child play "normally." It is to give them more ways to enjoy play, connect, and learn, if they want to.

## Types of Play Skills

Knowing the types of play and the skills they demonstrate can help you understand where your child is and what might come next. It’s important to note that [these categories can overlap](https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_power_of_play_part_3_types_of_play) and cover both social and individual play skills. Children may engage in multiple types of play at the same time, so there’s no need to fit your child’s play into one box.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the most common types of play a child might take part in as they grow.

### Exploratory/Sensory Play

When a child investigates textures, cause and effect, and physical spaces through their senses, this is known as exploratory or sensory play. Think splashing in water, digging in the dirt, or falling into a ball pit. Many autistic children are drawn to this type of play.

Sensory play helps children learn how the world works, and for many, it can be very calming. When kids don’t have a sensory outlet, rough or [destructive play](https://neuronav.org/self-determination-blog/autistic-children-destroy-toys) can sometimes follow, so offering things like kinetic sand or play-dough can help.

### Physical Play

This is exactly what it sounds like. Physical play involves running, jumping, tumbling, roughhousing, and other activities that use motor skills. This is not only a great outlet for energy, but it can also help them learn about their bodies, impulse control, and boundaries.

### Constructive Play

Constructive play covers activities such as building, drawing, and engineering with blocks or other craft materials. It feeds problem-solving skills and boosts creativity, and it can often feed into other types of play, such as building a barn for pretend animals.

Many autistic children enjoy the order and predictability of puzzles, blocks, and magnetic tiles, which make these strong starting points for shared play.

### Pretend/Symbolic Play

This is when children use objects, actions, or imagination to represent other things and act out scenarios, like feeding a doll or running a "store." Pretend play can show up later or look different for autistic children, who may reenact favorite scenes from a show or movie rather than invent new stories. That is still pretend play and can be a good place to build from.

### Parallel Play

This is when a child plays near another child with similar toys, without direct interaction. It can look like nothing is happening, but being near peers gives children a chance to watch and learn at a comfortable distance. It’s a good first step toward playing together.

### Games with Rules

Board games, tag, or structured sports teach turn-taking, patience, and following guidelines. Clear rules can be a real strength here, since many autistic children appreciate predictability.

Start with short, simple two-player games, use a visual cue to show whose turn it is, and talk through what happens when someone wins or loses. Cooperative games, where everyone wins or loses together, can take some of the pressure off.

## How to Play With an Autistic Child

If you are wondering [how to play with an autistic child](https://iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/play-time-an-examination-of-play-intervention-strategies-for-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorders.html), the most helpful starting point is to follow their lead. These strategies are commonly used in teaching functional play skills to autistic children:

- **Join their world first:** Sit nearby and mirror what they are doing without taking over. Let them know you are a safe, welcome play partner.
- **Build on their interests:** Use favorite characters, objects, or topics as the way into new kinds of play.
- **Use clear, simple supports:** Visual schedules, first-then boards, and short demonstrations can make play steps easier to follow. For nonspeaking children, offer picture cards, gestures, or an AAC device so they can choose and communicate during play.
- **Try structured role-playing:** Role-playing for social skills, like practicing a pretend birthday party or a trip to the store, lets children rehearse conversation and turn-taking in a low-pressure way.
- **Keep it fun and low pressure:** Celebrate effort, take breaks, and stop before frustration builds. A child who is enjoying themselves learns more.

A speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or behavior specialist can also help you tailor goals to your child's needs and preferences.

## How NeuroNav Helps Autistic Children Access Supports They Deserve

Play skills are about connection, learning, and joy, and every autistic child can build them in their own way. By following your child's lead, building on what they love, and offering the right supports, you can help play become a meaningful part of their day.

Ready to explore how California’s Self-Determination Program can fund the supports your child needs? [Schedule a consultation](https://neuronav.org/free-consultation) today and learn how NeuroNav’s [independent facilitation services](https://neuronav.org/services) can help your family get started.

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