Summer can open many new opportunities, but also present new challenges for parents and children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These challenges can be magnified for families that benefit from the structure the school year can offer. While many children benefit from camp participation, summer school, or other recreational activities while school is out, these activities end before summer is over. Do you then find yourself asking, “Now what?!” Have no fear! Here are some helpful tips to make the remainder of your child’s summer break go as smoothly as possible:
Plan and discuss activities ahead of time
Whether you plan to enroll your child in a recreational activity, take a vacation with the whole family, or plan an outing to the zoo, take the time to plan ahead. Discuss with your child the changes in routine that may possibly occur and help them understand what to expect from the outing. Allow you child to ask any questions he or she may have. Depending on how old your child is, you can ask them to write down or tell you some activities to put on their summer “bucket list” and plan the last few weeks of summer to accomplish those activities.
Implement a daily schedule
Just because it is summer break, doesn’t mean that it must be a free for all. If your child benefits from a more structured day, don’t be afraid to introduce your own kind of schedule for the summer. Whether this looks like a repetitive picture schedule each day, or allowing your child to choose if they want to play outside before or after lunch, don’t underestimate the comfort and predictability a visual schedule can bring.
Suggested activities for your schedule: if you find yourself running out of creative ways to turn off the iPads and limit screen time, consider some of the following activities to work into your day!
- A sandbox makes for excellent sensory play. Plop one in your backyard or porch for endless summer fun. You can also use a large bucket and fill it with water on those extra hot days.
- Make slime! Again, great for sensory play.
- Take a trip to the zoo. If your child loves it, invest in a zoo pass.
- Go for a swim. Plan ahead for sensory needs with swimwear and sunscreen. Swimming is great for body awareness and tactile input.
- Bake a special treat together. Summer is a great time to work in seasonal foods into your child’s meals, and allowing him or her to help create the meal may mean they are more apt to eat it.
- Go for a bike or scooter ride. Increased physical activity may help reduce any repetitive, maladaptive behaviors and could even help improve sleep.
- Go the playground. Take advantage of your local playgrounds and explore play structures that your child doesn’t have access to at school.
- Get crafty! This link, from Autism Speaks, will give you access to DIY sensory game ideas for your child: https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/10-fun-summer-diy-sensory-games-kids
- Plan a playdate with a peer from school/neighborhood. Don’t forget, you aren’t the only parents struggling to find ways to keep your child occupied all summer. Plan a park date! This is a great way to fit in some social skills practice during their break from school.
Without the routine of the school year, summer can bring stress to parents as they try to keep their children happy and busy. I hope these tips and tricks help ease that stress and also help create summer memories for your entire family!