 |
Resources > Community and Integration
Socialising and leisure activities
Engaging in social activities and hobbies
Source: Autism Awareness Centre Inc.
This article from the Autism Awareness Centre underscores the vital importance of developing meaningful leisure activities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to enhance their overall well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction. It notes that autistic individuals often face unique challenges in developing leisure interests, as they may not readily learn through observation or imitation, and their passions might manifest in unconventional ways. Engaging in enjoyable recreational pursuits is presented as a powerful tool for reducing challenging behaviours and stress, while simultaneously fostering valuable social connections through shared interests. The article suggests that effective leisure activities for autistic individuals should possess specific characteristics: they should be understandable, elicit clear reactions, provide comfort, encourage active participation, and incorporate visual-spatial elements to maximise engagement and success. A key recommendation is the creation of a "Leisure Lifestyle Profile". This involves a comprehensive assessment process, utilising interviews, direct observation, and various assessments to accurately identify an individual's specific preferences and strengths. The article stresses the continuous need to expand interests over time to prevent boredom and promote greater independence. Furthermore, it encourages families to actively involve individuals with ASD in their own family leisure activities, providing invaluable opportunities for practice, skill-building, and integration within a supportive environment.
You can access this resource here:
Further reading, listening and viewing...
Have you seen our books about Autism and Neurodiversity?
Written by an autistic author, this book explains what autism is, what it isn't, and how to support autistic people with kindness and consideration. It aims to help the friends, family and carers of autistic people, as well the general public, educators, healthcare providers, employers, authorities, and anyone else who might interact with autistic people. It clearly and concisely shows them what autism can 'look like', how to recognise it, how to sensitively offer support, and how to advocate for greater awareness, acceptance and inclusion in society.
The Autism Manifesto provides a vital 'lived perspective' on autism and advocates for greater understanding, inclusion, and integration for autistic people in society. The manifesto challenges outdated views of autism as a deficit or something to be 'cured', instead presenting it as a natural human variation, and highlights the fact that different ways of thinking only serve to enrich society. Its core lies in the 10 Pillars of Inclusion, which offer direct, practical steps that everyone can take to improve the lives of autistic people in every walk of life, at home, at work, at school, in the community, in government, and in the authorities and legal systems.
This is a book for autistic people, by an autistic writer. It helps you understand and embrace your autism and focus on all its positive sides (and all your strengths that come with it), as well as how to calm yourself in troubled times, and how to live a full life that's even happier, more fulfilling, and more meaningful, as part of your community. There are hundreds of practical ideas and advice for going out and enjoying life, meeting new people, making new friends, and maintaining existing relationships. It really is a guide to becoming the very best version of yourself!
DJ Merryweather is autistic, and shares his life experiences of autism - always trying to fit in, masking his differences at every turn - and how it led to his ultimate burnout, after which he began dismantling his autistic masking habits, one by one. The book explains why you're masking, how bad it can make you feel, and why you probably feel like you're stuck with it - from social rules and situations to 'faking' emotions and learning to 'perform' feelings in socially expected ways. But most of all, it's an inspiring message about the value of unmasking your true self and living a happier, more fulfilling life.
This essential handbook is for those who care for and support vulnerable people and those with disabilities. If you want to move beyond 'task-focused' routines and deliver truly compassionate, person-centred care, this is the toolbox that will make all the difference to you and to those you look after. Written by an experienced social care professional, it provides practical strategies, reflective tools, and human insights that improve dignity, respect, and autonomy for those in your care. It emphasizes the need to honour the unique identity, humanity, preferences, needs and challenges of each person being supported. Learn to manage challenging behaviours with empathy, navigate the pressures of 'the system' and prevent yourself 'burning out' with dozens of self-care techniques. Use it to improve on the care and support you provide and make a genuinely compassionate, person-centred difference.
This is a comprehensive guide to addressing bullying whether it's at home, school, work, in clubs, in public, or online. It provides safe and ethical strategies to handle all the different bullying tactics from subtle manipulation to outright harassment and physical threats. It equips you to recognise bullying, deal with it safely but assertively, set proper boundaries, and document and report bullying wherever it finds you. Learn how to use support networks, safe ways of reporting bullying, and understand your legal rights to protect yourself and find the right way to deal with bullies without starting a war on your own doorstep!Copyright ©2025 Peter J. Clark T/A Autism Info Center / Autism Awareness Centre Inc.. All rights reserved worldwide. This information may not be copied, reproduced, excerpted, stored, indexed or distributed without the express written permission of the publisher, author, and copyright holder.
This is Peter Clark. We're out there every day helping autistic people live happier, more fulfilling lives. We don't charge for what we do but, if you'd like to help us make lives better, we're very grateful for even the smallest of donations - but it's entirely your choice!
