Clover Leap

Autism Strengths & Interests

Short Summary of Strengths & Interests

• Lining up and sequencing things Enjoys manipulating small.
• Enjoys manipulating small objects such as building blocks or tiles on a game board.
• Likes collecting things.

Is good at matching visual items

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns

This game is not appropriate

Likes to put things in order or a sequence

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Clover Leap is a good game for children who like sequencing items. The game requires children to move their cute sheep around the board collecting colored tiles that correspond to different parts of speech. Children collect one of each of four colors to make crazy sentences.

Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind

This game is not appropriate

Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics

This game is not appropriate

Is very concrete and literal

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Some children prefer activities that are very literal. For those children, Clover Leap can be a good match. Each roll of the die has a clear correspondence to an object, sheep, sheepdog and sun, on the game board to move. Also, the construction of the sentences is based on color matching, which is also a literal activity.

Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)

This game is not appropriate

Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description

Likes spatial problem solving

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Children may be very good at spatial problem solving. Those children can use problem solving skill in Clover Leap as they identify colors they need to complete a sentence and try to move their sheep to reach those colors.

Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Clover Lead gives children practice reading simple words. It is a good game for developing reading comprehension as players make and read simple, crazy sentences. Adults can explain why each word (ex: verbs or nouns) is where it is in the sentence, while children learn about sentence structure

Likes to use and has good fine motor skill

This game is not appropriate

Likes established routines or set ways of doing things

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Many children prefer routines and are good at following set ways of doing things. They will probably feel very comfortable with Clover Leap because the game play has very clear rules so that each turn plays the same way. They need to create simple sentences following the straightforward color coding system.

Likes manipulating, constructing or building things

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good musical abilities

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good drawing skills

This game is not appropriate

Autism Special Considerations

Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Look at the game instead of each other.Player talking holds the object being talked about near their mouth to bring the child's attention to the object. This also shows the child how the words about the object are produced. For example, hold the picture on a game tile up by the mouth, and say the name of the object on the card. "My tile says, 'short.'"Rather than speak, sing communication between turns or when giving short directions. Music attracts the child's attention and interest.
Use unusual or exaggerated inflection to begin a communication about the game. This attracts the child's attention.

Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Break down directions into small steps. Don't go through all the directions at once.Combine short verbal instructions with visual and physical examples of each step. Use photos to illustrate what needs to be done. These can be taken ahead of time. The combination of pictures and actions reinforces learning the steps. Also, take pictures during the game for use in later discussions about the game and what happened.
Use hand-over hand guidance if needed, so children feel the actions as the directions are being given. This helps develop the child's memory for the correct movements. Gradually reduce the support as the game is learned.Check for comprehension by asking the child to show you what to do next.

Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Respond to immediate echolalia (repeating what was just said) by rephrasing the child's response into a correct format, so the child can hear and repeat that phrase. For example, assume you are playing with a child named Andy and you say, "Your turn," and Andy repeats, "Your turn." You can say, "It's Andy's turn. You say, my turn." This allows the child to hear and repeat the correct response. Eventually, the child will pick up the pattern of response.
Delayed echolalia (repetition of previously heard comments) may have a hidden meaning or association. Look for connection in the phrase used to the current situation. For example, the child says, "After these messages we'll be right back!" Think what the repeated phrase is associated with for the child. Try to interpret what is meant and rephrase it for the child. For example, you might respond by saying, "It sounds like you want a break for a few minutes. Is that what you mean? You can tell me, 'I need a break.'"

Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Incorporate a preferred topic into the game to increase motivation. For example, if the child is fixated on a particular character, like a favorite super hero, ask what the character would do if they were playing? "Let's see what sentence Spider Man makes." Practice phrases for commenting on others' play actions. For example, you say to Joe (who is playing with you), "Right on! You made a sentence ." Then ask the child, "What did Joe do? " This gives the child a model that they can imitate.
Remind children about listening and watching others' before making their own comment or action.Use a motivation toy or object to gain the child's attention. For example, a preferred wind-up toy can be placed on the board when it is the child's turn. The child gets to wind up the toy after completing their turn.
Use the child's own finger to point to what needs attention. They will attend to their finger first, and then the adult can point out the object he is pointing at.Extend the child's action to make a correct response. For example, the child rolls two sheep and moves one sheep. The adult then says, you rolled two sheep (point to dice) and moved one (point to sheep moved). You can move this one again (point to it) or move this one (point to the other one) . Which one do you want to move?"Reinforce attention and actions by commenting on what was done correctly. For example, "You have a sentence!"

Has difficulty producing speech/communication

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Use augmentative communication, such as picture cards. For example, a picture of person pointing to another person means "your turn."
Use gestures and sign language to illustrate actions or concepts. For example, use the sign for 'finished' (two hands facing down, spread out from the middle of the body), point to the next player and say, "I'm done. It's your turn." The signs and gestures add a visual component to support understanding.
Extend the child's sounds into words or words into phrases to provide a model. For example, if the child says, "flow," you say, "Flower. That's right." Or, if the child says, "on," say, "Yes, you put the sheep on the red flowers."
Provide at least 10 seconds wait time for the child to process or produce responses. It may take longer to formulate a thought or response for children with special needs.

Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Use physical actions to walk through steps numerous times, with less support for the final step each time. This is called "shaping." For example, walk through the steps of throwing the dice, moving a sheep, and turning over a tile numerous times in practice. Then do the first two steps and say, "What do you do next?"
Make picture cards of each step and option of a game, so the child can refer to the pictures as needed.Supplement board illustrations and pieces with additional tangible materials. For example, use plastic letters to spell out the words on the Clover Leap word cards. This gives children a tactile element in addition to a larger model, reinforcing the process.
When the child reads a tile, ask for an example or explanation of what is on the card to make sure child understands the vocabulary. For example, if the child turns over the tile "kites," pretend to be confused and ask," What is kite?" The child's explaining demonstrates the child's comprehension of the word on the tile. It also gives adults the opportunity to define or illustrate vocabulary the child may not know. Use real objects or pictures to illustrate concepts when possible.

Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Develop a social story to be read at the start of a game. A social story is a short booklet that illustrates how a child can use positive social skills. It includes two to five descriptive statements and a directive statement. For example: "When I watch others, I will know when it is my turn. Others like me when I take turns. I will watch what others do with their pieces and listen to what they say. Others like it when I talk about the game." Add photos or drawings of the child doing the actions described in the story.
Role play social situations and reinforce appropriate words and actions. For example, role play moving the dog up behind another player's sheep. What will that player do? Or, role play commenting on another player's turn. For instance, "What direction do you think they should move their sheep? What will they get?
Use video feedback of positive social behaviors. Video of actual play enables children to see what they or others did. Appropriate actions and interactions can then be discussed.

Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Reduce extraneous noise or allow the child to wear head phones or ear plugs if loud sounds cause anxiety.
A weighted vest worn during the game may provide additional pressure input and thus reduce fidgeting due to sensory needs. Pressure can be calming when used for no more than 20 minutes at a time.
Practice a phrase to ask for help and role play situations in the game where it is needed.Provide techniques for self-calming, such as holding a special toy.
Allow time for movement. For example, a child who needs to move frequently can be given an opportunity to 'celebrate' their turn by running around the table or jumping up and down 10 times.

Has short attention span for non-preferred activities

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Provide a break when needed.
Use "when...then" phrases. For example, "When you take your turn, then I'll let you play with your toy."Frequently remind the child of the goal of the game. "You get more points if you have one of each color to make a sentence. What do you still need?
Incorporate a motivating activity as part of the play. For example, each player gets to manipulate a fun 'fidget' toy, such as a stress ball or squeeze toy.

Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Play games at the same time every day, so the child anticipates the game routine.Change the location of the game, so the child may play in different rooms, at the table, or on the floor. This will build tolerance for variation.
Prepare the child ahead time for the introduction of a new game. Talk about aspects that will be motivating for the child, and let them explore the parts of the game before setting out the whole game.
Provide a structure for placement of game pieces that can be the same each time the game is played. For example, have a specific location for where the board goes, the pieces, etc.
Provide choices for how the child can be involved in set up or clean up. For example, you might say, "Do you want to put out the light green or dark green pieces? Involve the child verbally and with actions for the transition to the game table or at the end of game play. For example, you might say, "Let's look at the pictures on the game box and guess what it is about."
Use an object cue. Let the child hold an object from the game or activity you want to introduce prior to the transition. For example, if you were intending to play Clover Leap you might hand the child sheep and say, "Look here is a sheep. Let's see what we do with it in this game."

Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Model and point out what others are feeling and comment on their facial expressions or words.Discuss what causes feelings in others. For example, "You are happy because you have three of your favorite color. Joe's face is happy too. Why do you think Joe is smiling?"
Ask child to explain their own feelings and intentions.
Ask child to explain why other players did specific actions in the game.