Problem solving games for ASD preschooler?

[Scratchybaby]

Hi All

Just wondered if anyone had any good recommendations for problem solving games or apps for our 3.8yo, expecting an ASD diagnosis?

At 2.5 he showed an amazing talent for puzzles (doing 60 piece jigsaws for 4+! And that's the bragging over lol). He seems to have ended his puzzle phase for now though and I'm wondering if there's something he might enjoy that appeals to the same problem solving skills (or patterns, spatial awareness or other?) his language is coming on but he still doesn't really slow down for long enough to listen to complex instructions as he just races ahead to whatever he wants to do - so that limits us a bit. Having something that's more self evident from the off seems to grab him more easily. He also likes some letter-tracing apps (and is generally interested in letters and numbers) maybe early reading or maths games are next?

I'd love to keep encouraging these activities he excels in, while we're helping him catch up in other areas, so any recommendations appreciated!

Honestly, if I were you I would stick with actual toys and put off screen time as much as you can as it’s a slippery slope and , I think, more addictive for our ASD dc. I definitely wish I could go back and do screen time differently.

What about the little STEM type sets you can get with cogs and gears and things - like this:
www.mulberrybush.co.uk/cogwheel-game

Same with reading & maths, there are lots of physical games you can get.

Marble runs and magnatiles are also good.

Thanks all!

That's, I'm sure, very good advice @openupmyeagereyes I'm already seeing how addicted he is to his games on his tablet. They're aimed at being educational right now, which is great, but I've been thinking similar lately that I need to scale back before it's too late.

I've had a look and found some maths toys that he hopefully gets into. The puzzles were just so handy as he'd get so absorbed in them it gave me a few minutes to actually sit down or get something done! Hopefully I can find something for this new phase he's entering.

Numicon and cuisinaire rods are great. Orchard games too - or try something like Snug as a Bug on a Rug? Worth looking at N-Rich for math ideas.

It's not about whether it's educational or not. It's about it strengthening the neural feedback loop of I click this and I get and instant reward/dopamine - it's what makes it addictive and It's the reason we pick up our phones 100 times per day. Lots of research on it and the book Glow Kids is really interesting.

It's up to you, of course, but I wish my 6 years ago self knew what I know today. it's easy to put them on screens for a while because it gives us time, but it's creating a problem further down the line if you're not very careful.