TASKS GALORE!

The Task Galore books are wonderful resources for professionals and parents working with individuals with ASD. There are several different versions, not all of which are shown here. What's great about these books are the colorful photos of the tasks, which make them easy to replicate.

The authors, Laurie Eckenrode, Pat Fennell, and Kathy Hearsey use everyday materials to teach important concepts, such as fine motor skills, math, daily living, and social skills. How materials are presented and organized is extremely important when working with individuals with ASD to ensure that we are targeting the skill we are trying to teach. When materials are falling on the floor and are not set up properly, then it's easy for the child or adult to rely on others and then we can't be sure if they understand the concept. These tasks are visual and help individuals become more independent with the skills we are trying to teach!

This book provides a number of examples of task ideas to teach fine motor skills, 

readiness concepts, language arts, math, reasoning, and play skills. Also in the book

are forms you can use to document the concepts you are teaching and tasks ideas of your own.

Photos of task ideas to teach fine motor skills

Visual examples of ways to teach math skills included in the book

This is a great book to teach "Real World" skills as suggested by the title. It provides

colored photographs of tasks to teach domestic skills, independent functioning,

vocational skills, as well as examples of job sites that actually use this type of structure

Examples of tasks that structure for grocery shopping in the
community

Visual ways to adapt common recipes included in the book

This book is an excellent resource for teachers in particular as well as parents

who are looking for ideas to plan for group activities, such as birthday parties

or other social outings. "Tasks Galore: Making Groups Meaningful" gives ideas

of how to make the physical space meaningful for individuals with ASD,  how to
use schedules to visually show what is going to happen that day, as well as ways

to present activities so the individual can see how many activities they need to do 

and in what order.

Ideas for how to structure for group activities, such as circle time

Visual ways to use "to-do lists" when planning for a party

The Task Galore books have been an invaluable resource to me as a therapist. They provide numerous examples of different activities,  but also allow for you to use your own creativity to individualize for you client, student, or child. Visuals are not only essential for individuals with ASD, but they help us all tremendously!

-Molly