Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your children especially those who are on the spectrum. One of the main points I always have to remember is to enjoy the summer moments with my son, they only come once a year, and it gives us time to slow down the pace a bit.  There are plenty of activities for our kids. Although many of our children may not be able to attend a “regular” camp, there are several special needs camps that they can enjoy for a week or two and some offer scholarships as well. Also, the park is a great place for your child to have fun and play with other children without spending any money.

Most kids love water and the pool or enjoying the waves at the beach usually brings huge smiles to their faces. Some organizations like the YMCA have swim lessons specifically for children on the spectrum to help build confidence with being in the water.

If you are able to go to an amusement park, many offer accommodations for special needs kids, especially, Disneyworld. It is important to check with various companies to see what modifications they can make in order for our children to enjoy these activities. Often, we assume that our child may not be able to attend certain festivities, when in reality, many organizations can make adjustments for families.

Getting out of the house and doing activities with your child during the summer months is a wonderful way to connect with them outside of the hectic pace of school and therapy or other activities specifically dealing with ASD.  As parents and caregivers of kids on the spectrum, we have to take moments and smell the roses with them too. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the weather, relax and rewind before the fall gears up again and we’re all back in full swing. Even if we have a ton of things on our plate, and many of us do, it is still important to take some time to soak up some of that beautiful sun before those autumn leaves come blowing back our way.