Summer is usually a time when adults can let schedules go, and relax, but for children with autism, this can be a source of significant stress. Provide the structure and familiar routines your autistic child needs, without losing the fun of summer vacation. You know your child best, so choose activities that play to his strengths.
Summer Learning
Learning does not have to stop just because school is out for summer. Build time into your child's daily or weekly schedule to research, experiment, and investigate a topic that interests her. If she loves video games, challenge her to design one of her own. If she is fascinated by insects, summer is a great time to begin (or add to) an insect collection.
Before school is over, talk to your child about what she would like to learn more about, and begin collecting materials and planning activities to support their goals. Homeschooling websites such as Do2Learn and A to Z Home's Cool are places to find activities and resources.
Day Camps
If you live in a larger metropolitan area, there may be day camps and other structured activities designed especially for children with autism. These camps provide children with some of the same routines they are used to at school, while allowing them to participate in activities such as camping, swimming, arts and crafts, and other projects. Check with your child's teacher, case manager, or doctor for recommendations.
Look for a day camp staffed by counselors that have had extensive training with autistic children. A counselor who has not been trained to work with autistic children may inadvertently trigger a meltdown, and not know how to handle one in progress. Be sure you and your child's doctor or therapist can meet with camp staff to go over strategies to make this a positive experience for your child.
Social Skills Groups
As the pressures of the school year ease up during the summer months, this can be a great time to get involved with other families of autistic children in your area. Join or form a social-skills group, which helps autistic children practice specific social skills within the context of a play group, field trip, or activity. Many autistic children desperately want to make friends and participate in social activities, but lack the direct understanding of how to do so. A social-skills group, made up of other children on the autism spectrum, is a safe place to learn and practice social skills without fear of rejection or ridicule.
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campbuckskin January 25
Camp Buckskin --Serving youth with AD/HD, LD, Asperger?s and other related needs. Our program helps youth with social skill or academic difficulties to experience greater success! Check out our camp for your child this summer at http://www.campbuckskin.com. Located in the scenic North woods of Minnesota.