Tips on How to Play with a Non-Speaking Autistic Child

Play is how children connect with their world. For autistic children, it’s a way to improve communication and trust. If you’re wondering how to play with a non-speaking autistic child, you’re not alone.

Through play, you can create a safe space where your child feels seen and valued, laying the groundwork for communication to grow. With patience and encouragement, meaningful play can open new pathways for connection and expression, helping both you and your child thrive.

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1. Follow their lead

Instead of trying to direct the play, observe what your child is already doing and join in. If they love lining up blocks, sit beside them and line up blocks, too.

You don’t need to change the play; just be an active play partner by joining in. This creates shared focus, which helps build joint attention and engagement, setting the groundwork for communication development.

For example, if your child loves flicking light switches on and off, you can follow their lead by joining in and adding language to the experience.

You might say, “Light on. Light off.” This back-and-forth playful routine creates opportunities for shared enjoyment, glances, and communication, such as your child reaching towards your hand to request more. 

2. Use toys that encourage interaction

Using hard-to-operate toys can spark a connection. Toys such as bubbles, pop-up toys, spinning tops, wind-up toys, or balloons can be challenging for your child to operate independently. This creates a great opportunity to practice turn-taking and requesting. 

For example, during bubble play, you can pause after blowing a few bubbles and wait. Your child might look at you, reach out, or smile, which are all communication attempts. You can label their action, “More bubbles?” and blow again.

3. Incorporate visuals, sounds, and gestures

Communication supports are a key ingredient for supporting your child’s speech development. This includes:

Visual tools, like communication boards or iPad apps, can empower your child to make choices and express their needs. Pairing these with play gives them meaning.

For example, if your child wants a toy car, you can show them a picture of the car and a model, pointing to the image or pressing the icon on a device.

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Or, if your child likes bubbles, you can show them a picture of bubbles while modeling the word “Bubbles.” Over time, your child may begin to reach for the picture to request more. This is a powerful first step toward intentional, symbolic communication.

Keep the interaction going by using fun sound effects, gestures, or facial expressions while playing. Pretend the toy car says “vroom,” or you can clap when something exciting happens.

These layered cues help your child see that communication is fun, expressive, and more than just words.

4. Play games that encourage turn-taking and imitation

Simple back-and-forth games create opportunities for reciprocity; it’s like a non-verbal conversation.

Activities like rolling a ball back and forth, taking turns stacking blocks, or playing a simple game of peekaboo don’t require words but foster engagement and joint attention. They are the building blocks for communication.

For example, you can sit across from your child and roll a ball back and forth, while inserting pauses occasionally and waiting. This creates the opportunity for your child to look at you or reach for the ball.

When your child does this, you can respond warmly by saying, “ball” and rolling the ball back to them. Not only are you helping to build the meaning of words, but the back-and-forth interaction is also teaching turn-taking and imitation skills.

5. Support sensory regulation and create a calm space

Regulation is the foundation for engagement and learning. Many non-speaking autistic children experience the world through heightened or reduced sensory responses. Some may seek movement or pressure, while others may avoid bright lights or loud noises.

Creating a sensory-friendly, organized play space can make a big difference and ensure that your child is regulated.

Keep toys in clear bins, limit visual clutter, turn off the lights, reduce any extraneous noises such as the television, and offer cozy spots like a bean bag or play tent. This helps reduce overwhelm and makes it easier for your child to focus and engage.

Despite your best efforts, there may still be times when your child becomes dysregulated, and that is okay. This is where co-regulation comes in.

When your child is experiencing big emotions, your calm presence can help your child feel safe and supported.

By labeling their emotions, while modeling slow breathing, gentle movements, or simply sitting quietly together, you offer reassurance and help your child learn to manage their big feelings.

Sometimes, just being nearby and sharing a calm moment is enough to help your child settle and re-engage in play.

Play can be more than just fun

Play builds connection, emotional safety, and the foundation for communication. Whether or not words are spoken, your shared moments matter deeply. Through play, your child learns that interacting with you is enjoyable and rewarding.

Stay patient and consistent. Celebrate the small wins, a shared smile, a look, or a gesture. These are signs of growing connection and communication.

FAQs

Q: How do you entertain a non-verbal autistic child?

A: Observe what they love and join in. Use sensory-friendly toys, follow their lead, and make the activity predictable and fun. For example, if your child enjoys spinning, bring a toy top and spin it together. Shared focus turns simple activities into meaningful play.

Q: How do you discipline a non-verbal autistic child?

A: Focus on understanding the reason behind a behavior. Is your child overwhelmed, tired, or unsure of what’s expected? Use visual supports, consistent routines, and calm redirection. Non-speaking children thrive with structure, not punishment. If they are having a hard time, acknowledge their emotions with a simple phrase and provide a break if needed. 

Q: Do kids with non-verbal autism ever talk?

A: Some do, and some don’t. Every child’s communication journey is different. With support, many children develop speech or other effective communication tools, such as sign language or AAC. Celebrate all forms of communication, not just verbal words.

Q: What games do autistic kids like?

A: Many enjoy predictable, sensory-rich, or cause-and-effect games. Bubbles, rolling a ball, stacking blocks, or playing musical instruments are great choices. Find what brings your child joy and build play around that.