As a child psychiatrist, I often use games to work with the children with autism who I see regularly as my patients. All of these games can help with different aspects or challenges that some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder may have — they are also just fun. Games can be a great tool for promoting engagement, social interaction, and skill development in autistic kids. Many autistic kids enjoy games that offer predictable and structured routines, such as board games, card games, or puzzles. Games that involve sensory stimulation, such as tactile or visual input, can also be helpful for sensory integration and regulation. Additionally, games that encourage cooperation, turn-taking, and social communication can promote social skills and emotional regulation in autistic kids.
Also, check out our other page with a list of toys for children with autism.
Best Games for Children with Autism
I Never Forget a Face Memory Game This game is great for memory and also for recognizing and recognizing faces. 
Feelmo Speaking Cards These are good for helping teach emotions and feelings, and learning to identify and express them. 
What Would You Do At School If… This game helps teach problem solving skills, and thinking through situations that may be difficult. 
What Would You Do At Home If… This is similar to #3 in that it is a card-based game to help work through various social situations, this time designed for situations at home.
Social Skills Board Games (6 Pack) This is a set of games that are designed to help with social skills. It is designed for elementary school aged children. 
Social Skills Chipper Chat Magnetic Game This one is a great value because it has 30 game boards in it. The games are designed to teach social skills in many different situations and setting. 
What Do I Do Flash Cards Game. This card pack works on social skills but also emotional learning for kids 3 years old+. 
Feelings In a Flash These cards contain scenarios and reaction faces showing different emotions. These are commonly used in classrooms and therapists offices but is great for home too.
Counting and Sorting Game This is a great game for children with autism who enjoy sorting and organizing by colors and numbers. Can be very soothing for some kids. 
Yeti in my Spaghetti This is a fun game for kids 4 years old+ that has both sensory skills and social skills teaching such as taking turns.
Kinetic Sand Kit This is a great sensory game that also allows for some group play or make believe.
Teachable Touchables Texture Squares This bag of squares is great for talking about sensations, textures, and colors. 
How I’m Feeling This card set helps children with autism identify and think about their feelings and emotions in various situations in daily life. 
Mad Dragon This game helps kids age 6 and up identify and learn to deal with anger and frustration. 
What Did You Say? This is a great board game that helps with recognizing and understanding non-verbal language cues. 
Key Education Photo Conversation Cards These cards were designed for children with autism spectrum disorder to learn various social skills from photographs of children doing those skills. 
Daily Routine Chart This chart is created for children with autism and it uses photographs of daily activities to encourage productivity. 
Everyday Games for Sensory Processing Disorder This is a book of games to help children with autism with sensory issues.
Lego. I had to include this one, because Lego is a great way for kids to move their focus to a tactile project. Also because there is no “right’ or “wrong” way to build with Lego there is less chance of frustration as it’s just a fun and creative way to distract from anxiety and spend some time building.
I Spy Dig In. This is a fun sensory game where you have to find matching objects using multiple senses (touch and sight).
Happy or Not. This is a social skills and emotion reading game for kids. 
Let’s Talk Conversation Cards. These cards help to open up lines of communication with your child.
**Note, if you purchase items from these links, we will get a small fee which we plan to put right back into creating more content and resources for you and your family.
Dr. Sean Paul, MD is a board certified child psychiatrist who specializes in autism and mental and behavioral issues in children with autism spectrum disorders.
