Hang a large sheet of paper or paper, a whiteboard or a blackboard for the markers on the wall. They should hang at eye level of the child. Then, give the child some pens or crayons and show how much fun it is to draw something on this surface. (In my experience, some children on the autism spectrum are easier to cope with when they are standing).
When you find a surface that can attract your child's attention, I recommend that you practice your preliminary skills in the form of the game and only then continue writing letters.
Use pencils, markers or bright colored pencils to show the child how to draw simple shapes: circles, zigzags or "X". Encourage him to repeat for you or to surround your figures. Or you can copy what you draw. If you place a mark on the paper, show it and make the same mark below. Help the child draw a circle, then add the eyes, nose and mouth so they meet and paint the face.
Show your child how to make a circle with his own hand on the asphalt or paper on the wall. First you can surround your own hand, and then with a very soft track "by the hand" help him make a circle with his hand. In my experience, many children are very fond of the sensory aspects of this exercise, but it also encourages visual attention and interest in writing tools.
Show your child how to draw figures in the sand with your finger or how to make plasticine or clay shapes. Try to find the material that the child likes for sensory sensations. By the way, if a child can "feel" letters or figures, it will be easier for him to remember how to write them in the future.
Use visual cues to help your child delineate the lines and shapes he draws. This will teach you the key skill: perform directed movements with writing tools to create certain lines (that is, go to the letter from simple traces on the surface).
Here are some options:
Use a small sticker or an ink stamp to mark the starting point of the line or shape that the child should encircle or draw. Try to collect stickers that are related to the interests of the child. Place the second sticker at the end of the line so that the child connects two points with a line. Try several stickers or shapes at the same time to show your child how to connect the dots with a pencil or marker. Or simply give the child a sticker and let him paste on the line he drew.
Take a bright colored paper to attract the child's attention. Give the markers a color that contrasts well with the paper, for example, a blue marker to draw on yellow paper. Note: In some children with autism, too bright colors can cause overload. I recommend following the child's behavior, whether he starts looking at the shiny paper or, on the contrary, moves away from it.
If your child likes some classes, including preliminary writing skills, he is more likely to be more interested in drawing and writing letters on paper later. Otherwise, I recommend that you consult a specialist who can provide additional recommendations.
