Summertime is finally here, and I know many parents are gearing up for various outdoor activities with their kids. As I’ve said previously in one of my posts, summer is a great time to wind down and take it a bit slower with our children.  The hustle and bustle of the school year can be tiring for parents as well as our kids.

This summer I was ecstatic that my son was able to enjoy camp again. As he gets older, I see him experiencing more of the activities and playing with the other children around him.  I think camp is an extremely important activity for kids on the spectrum because it gives them a chance to be with other kids outside of school and therapies.  Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of camps for special needs kids, but they are out there. I have listed a few websites on my resource page to help in the search.

If a child is not able to go to camp or would like to explore other activities outside of therapy, many YMCA’s offer swim classes for special needs as well as tennis, soccer and basketball during the summer.

One key point about summer is to spend some time having fun with your kids.  Explore the parks, museums and even amusement parks in your area.  Taking a simple walk in your neighborhood and pointing out interesting things in nature can be a special bonding time with your child. If they have an older sibling(s) like my son does, the summer months gives them a chance to play games and spend some quality time learning new things from a sister or brother.

I am always thankful for this season because it gives me and my family a time to regroup, relax and reconnect with one another.  I try to enjoy each moment because before you know it, the time comes to get in line at the store for the school supplies, lunchboxes and backpacks. For now, I’m soaking in the sun and enjoying the down time.