Tag Archives: autism activities

Spring Forward

Leave a reply

Spring is on its way here and with that brings on decisions about summer activities for your child or teen.  Now is the time to start looking at various programs, filling out applications and exploring what type of scholarships and funding is available.  For the last few years this process has been fairly easy for me but now that my son is a teenager, I want to make sure the programs are appropriate for his age and abilities.

Some important questions to ask when looking for summer camps and programs are: What is the age group of the program? How are the children grouped (abilities, age or both) and what activities are offered? Specifically, are there themes for each week or certain activities the camp will focus on during the day?

Another key question to ask the coordinators is whether the camp is part time or full time? Some programs offer both and if they do, make sure you find out the specific hours and various fees for each one. The ratio of counselors to campers is another essential question and if the camp utilizes therapists such as OT speech and music.

Although it is only March and summer is three months away, it is vital for parents, especially if you have kids with ASD (because spots are extremely limited), to start exploring options now.  It is important to get ahead of the game so that our kids can have a fun and productive summer and we are not stressed at the last minute to find our children activities to explore.

Under the resources tab I have a list of some websites that may be helpful when looking for summer camps and activities.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

Outdoor Summer Fun

Leave a reply

Summer is in full swing right now and most of us are getting back outside, soaking up the sun, seeing friends, family and participating in outdoor activities. This is especially important for our kids on the spectrum because many have been at home with virtual school and therapies. Taking part in summer camp, field trips and family vacations helps to give our kids some much needed enjoyment, since many have not had the chance to have outdoor fun with others in the last year.

During the summer, I like to think of activities, usually outdoors, that my son may have never tried before. This time of year, gives us a slower pace and I can give him more assistance with the activity.

This summer, my son is finally learning to ride a bicycle. This has been on our list for several years now, but it always seemed like the timing was not right.  I was able to get his OT on board with assisting in the process.  In fact, she has been a crucial part of helping him get the feel of the bike.

After several months he is now wanting to put his feet on the pedals of the bicycle, and he is also riding an adaptive one by himself.  I am hoping that by the end of the summer he will be ready to ride the regular bike.

Many parents want to try a variety of activities for their child and this season is one of the best times to do it.  No matter what it may be, such as swimming, biking or horseback riding, use this time to explore and try a new activity this summer.

Most outdoor activities can help build your kids confidence, allow them to have fun and maybe get them more social time with peers. As we all know, life is precious and there is no time like the present to get out there and enjoy it with your children.  They will definitely thank you for it in the future!

Hooray for Summer

Leave a reply

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.

April is Autism Awarenes

Leave a reply

April is Autism awareness month and every year I try to do something that assists our communities in understanding more about Autism. One way I do that is by wearing a variety of shirts that say something about ASD. People always asks questions about the shirts and it is a wonderful conversation starter, especially for those who know nothing about Autism.

I also like to take advantage of events that cater to kids on the spectrum, such as visiting sensory friendly programs at museums, zoos and amusement parks.  Most cities have a Children’s Museum, and many have presentations specially geared for kids on the Spectrum.

It’s important that parents and caregivers use this month not only to enjoy programs for our kids but to get the word out about ASD. As we know the numbers keep getting bigger for those affected by the disorder and we can make a big impact on assisting our communities in understanding that our children need support in dealing with Autism.  It takes a village to continue the research, therapies and education of our children. If we don’t continue to inform society about Autism, no one will. Let’s enjoy the month and keep our communities aware!

*Please see Resource Section for some Sensory Friendly Places

Back in the Swing of the School Year

Leave a reply

The new school year is in full swing and that means meeting new teachers, friends and classes.  This can be overwhelming for many children on the spectrum, especially if they are experiencing a new school for the very first time.

There are several ways that I’ve found helpful in easing back into school and coping with the newness of it all. I always try to give my son an idea of what he may be doing that day. He likes knowing the agenda. He may ask me several times if it is unfamiliar to him, but I always give my son a schedule. I also explain that it may deviate at times but if he has a basic timetable, it gives him peace of mind.

Next, I emphasize my support. As a mother, I feel it is essential that our children know we encourage them and I display that through words, hugs and high fives.  Whatever your child likes as a support tool, utilize it as they start the school year. Even if your child is non-verbal, they need to feel that you are there through any channels that work.

At the end of the day, I let my son do something that he enjoys like watching a favorite cartoon, building Legos or playing a game on the tablet.  This seems to help comfort him and alleviate any stress that school, therapy or activities may have caused throughout the day. By giving him some down time, he’s able to focus on any homework that needs to be done and looks forward to the next school day. Our kids are just like us and balance is key, especially when it comes to going back to school.

Although the beginning of a new school year can be challenging, it’s important that we have a routine that works well for our kids. When they are able to get through the day without chaos, it benefits the entire family. If we include a variety of strategies to assist with the transition, it will give our children the boost they need to have an awesome academic year.

 

 

 

 

Summertime Fun

1 Reply

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.