Activities to do when Self-Isolating

 

Individuals on the spectrum can find unstructured time extremely challenging. Without a lot of warning we have been asked to stay at home and finding meaningful and enjoyable ways to spend your time can feel overwhelming. To try and help you through this we have put together a range of activities you could choose from to help structure your day and keep your mind and body active.

We will be regularly updating these resources over the next few weeks. If you have any creative ideas that you would like to share with others, please email charlotte@resourcesforautism.org.uk and I can add them to the list!

 

Friday Movie Club
RFA are running a fantastic weekly movie and discussion club. If you would like to be included please email charlotte@resourcesforautism.org.uk

Exercise video
Change into your gym clothes and download an exercise video from Youtube. Joe Wicks, AKA The Body Coach, has been providing free personal training sessions to take part in daily.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

Online quiz
Improve your trivia and general knowledge by playing one of the thousands of quizzes online. Why not take part in a live streamed themed quiz hosted by a spectacular quizmaster?

Solo games
Exercise your brain by doing a word search, cross word, jigsaw puzzle or Suduko either online or from a book.

Television
Channel 4 will be broadcasting special programs throughout this period including arts, cooking and cleaning activities.

Podcasts
Whether you are into true crime, comedy or inspirational TEDTalks, there are thousands of amazing podcasts out there to enjoy. If you have a smartphone you can download a free podcast app or on your computer.
Here is an interesting podcast delivered by two individuals with ASC. “1800 Seconds on Autism”.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p06sdq0x

Time- Out
From virtual tours of palaces and museums to live performances of theatre productions. Time Out offers a range of exciting and interesting activities to enjoy from home.
https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/time-in-the-best-things-to-do-at-home

Sensory Activities for Home Isolation
150 Sensory learning ideas

Doodle’s art activities

Sensory Orienteering Treasure Hunt

House tasks
Now is the time to do those chores that you have been putting off for months.

Here are some ideas:

  • Organise sock draw
  • Mop the floors
  • Organise clothes and wardrobes into sections
  • Clean out kitchen cupboards
  • Dust the blinds/curtains
  • Disinfect your phone/computer with wipes
  • Clean the bathroom
  • Organise your post
  • Categorise your letters
  • Take photos of important letters and email to self
  • Clean your windows
  • Dust your shelves and picture frames
  • Organise your freezer into date order
  • Vacuum under the bed

 

Free online courses and further study

 

With all this free time on your hands why not take the time to upskill by enrolling on a free on-line course being offered by universities and colleges around the world.
Here are some examples:

The Open University
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/information_technology.shtml

 

Courses from the National Autistic Society

 

Managing money
https://www.autism.org.uk/professionals/training-consultancy/online/managing-money.aspx

Finding Employment
https://www.autism.org.uk/professionals/training-consultancy/online/finding-employment.aspx

 

E-Books and Online Reading Material

 

The New York Public Library – you can now download over 300,000 books for free https://reurl.cc/lV06jv

Verso Books – free E-books
https://reurl.cc/qdmeAD

Haymarket Books – Free E-books
https://reurl.cc/E72dln

Google Arts & Culture- explore artwork from over 1200 museum in 70 countries online
https://artsandculture.google.com/

Over 50,000 free coloring pages for kids
http://www.supercoloring.com/sections/coloring-pages

JSTOR Materials – available to the public for free
https://reurl.cc/nzngG2

NASA’s online activities, e-books, podcasts and other content
https://www.nasa.gov/

 

Videos and Live Cameras

IDFA International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam online – free resources https://reurl.cc/d0VZjq

Virtual Museum Tours, Graffiti Tours, nature walk
https://reurl.cc/j7q0j2

Detroit Symphony Orchestra – free video
https://livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv/browse

The Metropolitan Opera
Every day a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being released for free, on-demand streaming beginning at 7:30 p.m EDT for a period of 23 hours https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/

Collectif Jeune Cinema – over 250 films are available
https://reurl.cc/X6ennE

New York Broadway musical – 7 day free trial
https://www.broadwayhd.com/

The Top 100 Documentaries We Can Use to Change the World
https://reurl.cc/lV061d

Vancouver aquarium Live Cams
https://www.vanaqua.org/live-cams