autism complex needs – Autism Connection of Pennsylvania

Indoor Activities for Complex Needs

At Autism Connection of Pennsylvania, we believe meaningful activities don’t have to be loud, busy, or demanding. For many autistic people, especially those with higher support needs, the most powerful experiences are the ones that support regulation, safety, and choice.

Whether activities happen in a community space, at home, or online, what matters most is that people are free to engage in ways that feel right to them. Here are some activity ideas and guiding principles that help make that possible.

Sensory Activities: Supporting Calm and Regulation

Sensory activities can help the nervous system settle. These spaces and tools are designed to be soothing, predictable, and flexible.

Think:

Quiet sensory rooms with soft or dim lighting
Bubble tubes, fiber optic lights, or projected visuals
Weighted blankets or lap pads for grounding
Soft textures to explore, like fabric, gel pads, or water beads
Preferred music or calming background sounds

There’s no “right” way to use sensory supports. Some people stay for a long time. Others take a quick break and move on, and that’s okay.

Creative Activities: Exploration Over Outcome

Creative activities aren’t about finishing a project or making something “look right.” They’re about exploring materials and enjoying the process.

Options might include:

Painting with hands, sponges, or rollers
Squeezing and shaping clay, dough, or putty
Light tables or glow-based art activities
Music play with drums, shakers, or chimes

Participation can look like watching, touching briefly, or repeating the same motion again and again. All of it counts.

Movement Activities: Helping the Body Feel Safe

Movement can be regulating, especially when it’s gentle and predictable.

Supportive movement activities include:

Slow stretching or simple yoga poses
Rocking chairs or supported indoor swings
Walking paths with clear visual cues
Soft obstacle courses made with mats and pillows

These activities aren’t about exercise or performance; they’re about comfort and body awareness.

Engagement Activities: Supporting Focus and Interest

Some activities help with attention and connection without requiring social interaction.

These might involve:

Sorting or matching favorite items
Cause-and-effect toys or switches
Simple routines done the same way each time
Choice boards using pictures or real objects

Familiarity and repetition can be reassuring, building trust and confidence.

Social Groups: Shared Space, Not Forced Conversation

Social groups don’t need talking to be meaningful. Often, simply being together in the same space is enough.

Small Group Options

Sensory play groups
Music and rhythm groups
Quiet groups built around shared interests
AAC-supported communication groups

Family-Supported Groups

Parent–child sensory groups
Sibling-friendly indoor play times
Caregiver-supported adult groups

These groups work best when expectations are low and support is built in.

What Matters Most

Across all activities and groups, a few principles make the biggest difference:

No pressure to interact
Parallel play is welcome
People can come and go as needed
All forms of communication are respected

Belonging should never be tied to behavior, speech, or participation.

Indoor Events: Predictable and Calm

Indoor events are often more accessible when they follow a clear routine and keep sensory demands low.

Ongoing Events

Sensory-friendly movie days
Open sensory gym or playroom hours
Quiet craft or activity times
Weekly clubs with the same schedule each time

Special Events

Sensory-friendly holiday gatherings
Autism-friendly expos with quiet spaces
Story times using objects, visuals, or AAC
Music or performance events designed for people with profound autism

In-Home and Virtual Options: Flexibility Matters

Not everyone can attend in person—and they shouldn’t have to miss out.

Accessible alternatives include:

Virtual sensory activities
Recorded calming routines
Online groups that use visuals or AAC
Flexible options families can use at home

Choice and access should extend beyond physical spaces.

What Makes Activities Truly Accessible

Accessibility isn’t about one feature. It’s about the whole experience. The most supportive activities include:

Visual schedules shared ahead of time
Clear beginnings and endings
Real choice, without pressure
Trained, understanding staff
Respect for non-speaking communication
No requirement to “participate” in order to belong

When we design activities this way, we create spaces where autistic people can feel safe, regulated, and genuinely included, exactly as they are.

At Autism Connection of PA, that’s the kind of connection we’re working toward every day.

Call to Action for Providers

Are you offering autism-friendly activities or support for autistic people with complex needs?
Make sure families can find you by listing your program at autismofpa.org.

Families are actively searching for safe, accessible indoor activities for people with profound autism. Providers can help by ensuring their programs are listed in Pennsylvania’s statewide autism resource directory.

Email tammi@autismofpa.org to share your services and reach families who need them.

By listing your autism-friendly activities, social groups, or events, you help families find options that respect sensory needs, communication differences, and safety without forcing participation.

Join us in expanding access across Pennsylvania.

Caring for Loved Ones with Profound Autism Virtual Meeting

The Caring for Loved Ones with Profound Autism is a free virtual, interactive workshop for parents and caregivers of children, teens, and adults with profound autism. This session offers a space to share experiences, ask questions, and access practical information. We’ll talk about day-to-day challenges, long-term planning, and ways to support people who are deeply affected by autism. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or have years of experience, you’re welcome to connect and learn with others who understand.

Register Here

Astrid Arroyo smiling with brown eyes and dark hair

Families Share: The Things that Keep Us Home and The Things that Bring Us Out

Sensory-friendly, inclusive events have become increasingly popular, and in an effort to ensure that all – and we mean all – families feel safe and welcome, we reached out to Astrid Arroyo who often attends events with her son to find out what works for her family. We also spoke with people who choose to stay home to find out why.

The Things that Keep Families Home

Families who have children with complex needs often reach out to Autism Connection looking for resources and support. We noticed that many shy away from large scale sensory friendly events, so we started asking why. One parent shared sensory friendly events aren’t for her teenage son. “They may be inclusive once you’re inside, but really, we just can’t do it. Many people don’t understand the risk going into a busy city really is. Safety is a concern we have to take very seriously.”

Other families share similar barriers:

Transportation and parking – high stress levels in getting to venues. Parking alone can be overwhelming
Safety and accessibility – not only do we need to gain access to the venue, we have to make sure there’s a “place” for us. Families that have loved ones who bolt or run quickly have additional concerns.
Perceived judgement on our loved one’s behavior. Hosts need to be crystal clear that vocalization and movement are welcome and not considered disruptive.
Venues are too big – can we find welcoming venues on a smaller, quieter scale?
Inconvenient times – Great. There’s a sensory friendly hour at 9:00am on a Wednesday morning during school and work hours. Thanks.
Cost – many sensory friendly events are not affordable.

We have to ensure that venues are safe, that staff and volunteers are well trained, accepting and prepared, and that all behaviors are truly welcomed. Smaller, shorter activities may be more appropriate for some families, and not everyone is equipped for long outings. Also, hosts may consider that it can take hours for some families to prepare to leave the house, so scheduling an event in the morning simply won’t work them.

Astrid Shares: The Things that Bring Families Out

When you see Astrid Arroyo, you’re likely to see her son, Kai, active, in the community, and included. We asked her what works for her family.

“For me, the accessibility of the venue and parking are always the main concern. This is the reason I tend to attend events that are outdoors, or in a venue that has outdoor space, and their own parking, or close accessible parking spaces.

We make it work because Kai drives us to it. Kai doesn’t like to stay home at all. He likes to be out surrounded by people, specifically people that are not us. So, I look for as many events as I can that I know he will enjoy, and that I am able to leave him with a staff, or his brother. Sometimes we choose an event big enough that we can watch him from afar.”

Astrid on the Importance of Raising Awareness About Sensory Friendly Events

“Events are not fully communicated to all families that can benefit from them. Not everyone is on social media. Not everyone has the time to go through Facebook or Instagram trying to find events, only to find out the time has passed. Families are overwhelmed 24/7 with the caring of their child, family obligations, doctor appointments, schooling, therapies, work etc. So even with families having access to these events, they forget about them quickly. This is the reason I started my Parent Group to repeatedly post social events that Kai likes, but I fear may go away due to low attendance.

But I wish, honestly, that supports coordinators were made aware of social events and that they would help families with planning to attend them. This applies to adults with aging parents who may not have the energy and patience to take their loved ones to these events.

I would like to find some sort of solution for parents to know what is out there, because events are out there. And people who are willing to host events for our loved ones are out there as well. We just need to figure out what is really needed, how can we make things more accessible to all families, and how can we create more events that are all inclusive.”

Autism Connection thanks Astrid for her insight and for her passion in helping people enjoy life to the fullest. In response, we have created a survey to further identify barriers and to determine what we all can do to help. Whether you’re a parent, friend, autistic adult, professional or other caring person, please take a moment to share your ideas by completing our Sensory Friendly Events Survey or email tammi@autismofpa.org.