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Activity Books for Autism Level 2

Level 2 describes autistic people who need substantial support. For puzzle time, that often means smaller steps, more structure and a very clear end to each task. A predictable page, a familiar routine and a quick win can turn a puzzle into something a child looks forward to.

By the Buy Activity Books team · Updated · 3 min read

The short answer

For autistic children at level 2, choose puzzles that are small, predictable and quick to finish: one task per page, the same layout every time, words that run only across or down, and a visible finish such as a tick box. Calm Puzzles Step 2: First Steps and Next Steps are built this way.

Key takeaways

  • Small, quick puzzles first: success before challenge.
  • Same layout on every page reduces what is new.
  • A visible finish: page count and tick box.
  • Short, agreed sessions with an adult nearby.

Our picks for autism level 2 activity books

A sample page from Calm Puzzles Step 2: First Steps
1Ladder step 2: start hereEarly puzzlers, any age

Calm Puzzles Step 2: First Steps

Twenty very simple, very predictable puzzles. Tiny mazes from 3 by 3 with extra-wide paths, and 6 by 6 word searches with four words that only run across or down. Every page has the same layout, a page count and an I finished! box.

  • 10 tiny mazes (3 by 3 to 6 by 6) and 10 four-word word searches
  • Same layout on every page, no pictures or clutter
  • Words run across or down only, never diagonal or backwards
  • Puzzle 3 of 20 on every page, and an I finished! tick box
See inside →
A sample page from Calm Puzzles Step 3: Next Steps
2Ladder step 3Growing puzzlers, any age

Calm Puzzles Step 3: Next Steps

The next calm step: mazes from 5 by 5 to 9 by 9, 8 by 8 word searches with six words, and 4 by 4 number puzzles that introduce sudoku logic with only the numbers 1 to 4. The same predictable layout on every page.

  • 8 mazes, 8 word searches and 8 mini number puzzles
  • 4 by 4 number puzzles: sudoku logic with just 1 to 4
  • Every number puzzle checked to have exactly one answer
  • Same layout, page count and I finished! box on every page
See inside →
A sample page from Calm Puzzles Step 4: Big Steps
3Ladder step 4, laterConfident puzzlers, any age

Calm Puzzles Step 4: Big Steps

Bigger puzzles on the same calm page: mazes from 8 by 8 to 12 by 12, 9 by 9 word searches with eight longer words on favourite topics like trains, space and dinosaurs, and 6 by 6 number puzzles. Still one task per page, still a clear finish.

  • 8 mazes, 8 word searches and 8 six-by-six number puzzles
  • Interest themes: trains, space, dinosaurs, ocean, vehicles, numbers
  • Every number puzzle checked to have exactly one answer
  • Same layout, page count and I finished! box on every page
See inside →

Side by side

Step 2: First StepsStep 3: Next StepsStep 4: Big Steps
Best forLadder step 2Ladder step 3Ladder step 4
Puzzles202424
GridMazes 3 to 6, 6 by 6 word searchMazes 5 to 9, 8 by 8 word search, 4 by 4 number puzzlesMazes 8 to 12, 9 by 9 word search, 6 by 6 number puzzles
DifficultyAcross and down onlyAdds diagonal words and 4 by 4 logicLonger words, 6 by 6 logic
Pages (A4)273232
Answer keyYesYesYes
Paper sizesA4 and US LetterA4 and US LetterA4 and US Letter
Price$4.99$4.99$4.99

What level 2 means, and what it does not

In the DSM-5, level 2 means "requiring substantial support" in social communication and in restricted or repetitive behaviours. It does not tell you what a child can do with a maze or a word search. Some children at level 2 have strong visual skills and race through mazes; others need very small steps. Start low and follow the child.

Puzzle features that help

  • Tiny mazes first: our First Steps mazes start at 3 by 3.
  • Few words: First Steps word searches hide just four words.
  • Simple directions: words only across or down, never backwards.
  • Big cells and bold lines, with nothing else on the page.
  • Puzzle 3 of 20, so the child knows how much is left.

A routine for puzzle time

  1. Use a visual timetable or first-then card: first puzzle, then a favourite activity.
  2. Show the page and point to START and FINISH, or to the word list.
  3. Do the first part together, then let the child continue.
  4. Tick the I finished! box together.
  5. Move to the reward straight away, and stop before the child is tired.

From First Steps to Next Steps

First Steps has twenty puzzles: ten mazes from 3 by 3 to 6 by 6 and ten six by six word searches. When those feel easy, Next Steps adds bigger mazes, eight by eight word searches with six words, and 4 by 4 number puzzles that introduce sudoku-style logic with only the numbers 1 to 4.

Fine motor support

If holding a pencil is hard, try a chunky crayon, a pencil grip or tracing the maze with a finger first. Laminating a page and using a dry-wipe pen lets a child try a maze again and again.

How we make every puzzle

Every puzzle in our packs is generated and then checked by computer before it is allowed into a pack. Anything that fails a check is thrown away and replaced.

  • One route per maze

    Every maze is a perfect maze, so there is exactly one way through.

  • One solution per sudoku

    Each sudoku is solved by computer and kept only if it has one answer.

  • Every word once

    Each word-search word is checked to appear exactly once in its grid.

  • Answers included

    Every pack ends with a full answer key, in A4 and US Letter.

Questions about autism level 2 activity books

How long should a puzzle session be?+

As long as it stays enjoyable. For many children that is one puzzle. Agreeing the number beforehand, and stopping there, builds trust in the routine.

My child gets upset when they make a mistake. What helps?+

Use pencils with good erasers, or laminate pages for dry-wipe pens. You can also print the same page again, so a mistake never means the puzzle is ruined.

How fast do I get it?+

Straight away. The download page opens as soon as payment goes through, and a link is emailed to you as well, so there is no shipping and no wait.

Are the answers included?+

Yes. Every pack ends with a full answer key, so a parent, teacher or the solver can check the work.

Related guides

All buying guides

Activity Books for Autism Level 2: Calm, Step-by-Step Puzzles