Many special needs families dread the summer season as we get closer to the last day of school. When you have a child with autism, it’s not always easy finding a suitable program, activity or camp that will offer stimulating, safe and engaging activities that meet their unique needs. What do special needs parents do? Here are a few tips that might help.
Find Out What a Typical Day is Like at School
As the end of the school year nears, ask or email the teacher(s) if they would please send you a detailed schedule of what each typical school day is like. This includes the time they eat breakfast and lunch, what their favorite food choices were, their preferred activities, etc. Kids tend to do different things in different settings, and it would be a great idea to try to keep some level of continuity during the summer season if possible. However, it will also help to know of any new interests or skills your child developed during the school year that you can incorporate into your home routines and help to reinforce those learned skills at home.
Become an Interest and Skills Detective
Our kids take interest in new and different things, I know that when it comes to autism, we may have misconceptions about our children wanting the same things, and this is true for many kids. However, just like other kids without disabilities, they grow tired of the same toys, and sometimes they get bored of watching the same old shows – even though they request it. If you’ve noticed that your son or daughter asks for a particular show and then he or she pops up looking for your attention within minutes of it starting – you know they’re bored of watching it. If they do this often while the “preferred show or movie” is playing, they’re no longer interested in it. They may not be able to communicate this yet, but may still crave it for self-regulation. This especially happens with kids with autism. Movies, routines, toys and other things they’ve seen or played with repeatedly over the years may have become familiar, comfortable and self-regulating. However, it doesn’t mean they still love it. This has been a huge lesson for me this year with my son Richie who has autism. I had to become an interest and skills detective at the start of the summer! Using pictures and “Yes” and “No” cards helped us to learn that Richie enjoys being read to on subjects that interest him. Richie is interested in all things Military! We are now working on finding movies that are age appropriate and not too violent that he can watch and enjoy. Richie also loves to bake. He enjoys baking cookies, cakes and muffins. He also loves to help me cook. I let him stir, mix and add ingredients whenever possible. Richie’s favorite thing to do is use the hand mixer, that and eating his masterful creation! Baking has become one of Richie’s favorite things to do during the day!
Over the years, we have tried enrolling Richie into sports (Baseball, Soccer, Bowling, etc.) and we learned quickly when he wasn’t interested in participating. We learned that it’s so important to come together as a family to brainstorm ideas on interests and activities. I’m always proud of the ideas that come from our family meetings – you’d be surprised how insightful and creative siblings can be!
Based on your child’s interest, you may want to consider trying projects like:
- Baking cake and food mixes with easy to follow instructions. For added fun, take pictures of your child cooking and create your own step-by-step recipe cookbook together!
- Finger painting, Coloring and Tracing books, and Water Coloring books.
- Designing a Mug, Baseball Cap, or Decorating a Bird House!
What Sensory Play does your Child Enjoy?
Does your child have specific sensory needs? This could include activities that involve the need to be moving, jumping, swinging. Maybe it means he or she likes visually stimulating toys that light up, or maybe they enjoy touching squishy things like putty. I like to make sure I have a variety of things on hand that gives Richie the sensory input he needs through out the day. Keep in mind that over time, sensory needs change for our kids too. I make sure to review our inventory of toys and gadgets every year. For example, Richie no longer cares for the visual stimulation that spinners, rainmakers, or other visual handheld toys provides. He’s seventeen year’s old, so these days he’s just getting into handheld video games, the hand-eye coordination is still something he’s working on. We have a big trampoline outside, but my boys have kind of outgrown it now that they’re in their teens. My almost two-year old granddaughter now loves to climb in it to play catch with us.
I bought Richie an indoor/outdoor swing to help fulfill his need for vestibular input. He uses it everyday and loves it! Outside hammocks are also a great idea!
Assign Your Child Household Chores
Too often special needs children are not taught or given household chores. I think all kids should have daily tasks or chores that only they are responsible for getting done. I think it makes them feel included in daily family routines and it makes them feel purposeful. When Richie was younger, we started with little things like taking out the trash or putting clothes in the washer. When he mastered a task, we worked on expanding it. For example, with the laundry, we moved on to teaching him to move clothes from the washer to the dryer and from the dryer to the laundry basket for folding. Now, we’re to the point where he puts his clothes in his drawers and hangs shirts in the closet – though we are still working on these steps, he is well on his way to doing it independently. A simple chore or task can gradually grow with complexity over time, and before you know it, your child has a new skill that can continue to be polished over the years. Not only are they keeping busy, they’re contributing to household routines just like everyone else! Of course, not all chores are for all special need’s children. However, we can always find things for all children to do based on their abilities. Examples of chores Richie started with include:
Recycling bottles and cans – we are now including rinsing them as an additional step before placing them in the bin.
Taking out the garbage – we are working on getting him to do this without prompts daily.
Laundry – we are now working on getting Richie to sort the clothes by colors.
Putting away Forks and Spoons – Richie has mastered sorting and putting away utensils in the drawer.
Setting the table for meals and clearing the table after meals.
Create a Visual Schedule
I’m working from home this summer and keeping my son Richie, who is seventeen and has autism, busy and entertained throughout the day is tough. Richie struggles with communicating effectively with us and if he’s bored and not engaged, he’s going to be craving my attention – a lot! It’s important for me to make sure he knows what is expected of him throughout the day. Children and teens crave structure and it’s so important that they understand what is expected of them as well as providing activities they find interesting that they can choose from. I created a visual schedule board that lists Richie’s chores with breaks for activities he can choose to do. These break activities will alternate between preferred (watching tv, playing video games, using devices, etc.) and non-preferred activities (learning; spelling, reading, etc.). I have Richie’s visual schedule posted in the kitchen where he can count on seeing it daily. It’s set up with a long activity list with pictures of chores Richie does throughout the day and red squares that indicate a break for a preferred or non-preferred activity. These pictures are on the side and they’re available for him to choose from.
Explain to Your Child when Your Attention will be Available
One of the most difficult things to teach to children with special needs is the concept of time. I have had to learn how to simplify my narration of my availability to Richie, so he grasps the concept and doesn’t become frustrated with me. This is especially needed if I’m going to be on the phone or unavailable for a certain period of time. This has worked for me, but it is a work in progress. I might say something like, “Richie, I’m on a phone call for an hour. I’ll be available at 5 pm (I might point to the clock and show him). I’m going to set the timer for one hour and that’s when I’ll come and talk to you. That’s when I set the visual timer letting him see when I’ll become available.
Using a visual timer also helps with illustrating how much longer he’ll have to wait before he can expect my attention.
First – Then boards work well to help with explaining when I’ll be available to give him my full attention.
Create a Sensory or Activity Bin
I would also create a sensory or activity bin with his or her favorite items, this could include hand-held visuals, iPod, fidget toys, MP3 player, etc. If there is a preferred item that you can designate as something that can be given to your child only for those moments you need to participate on a lengthy phone call, I would keep that one item in a separate place. This could be an MP3 player, an old handheld video game or iPod, etc. It’s also helpful to use the bin for when there’s a task you need to get done and need your child to engage in independent play.
For younger children, you can find instructions on how to create various types of sensory bins: HERE and HERE.
Stay in the “Know” of What’s Going on in Your Community
You already know about your child’s interests and what he or she can tolerate when it comes to social events. Maybe you’re like me and you’re still learning about his or her interests and doing things that make them happy. When it comes to getting our kids involved in community events, the following resources are great to have on hand:
Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break Program – Buddy Break is a FREE Parents’ Day Out/respite program where kids with all types of special needs (VIP kids) have FUN while their parents get a BREAK. At Buddy Break, VIP kids and their siblings make new friends, play games, do crafts, hear children’s stories, enjoy music, and more! Meanwhile, parents get a break from their ongoing care-giving responsibilities, usually for three hours on a Friday night or Saturday morning. Buddy Break locations can be found nationwide and is open to all.
In Central Florida, an option is to visit Hope International Church Buddy Break. Our very own Joscelyn is the Director for that location. 🙂 Check them out on Facebook too.
Sensory Friendly Movies – It was a parent who sparked the idea for AMC’s Sensory Friendly Movies. As a result of AMC and Autism Society of America’s brilliant collaboration, there are sensory friendly movies twice a month at AMC theaters nationwide. Other theaters have followed their innovative lead and are also featuring sensory friendly movies monthly. Find more information about sensory friendly movies in your neighborhood by clicking: HERE
CARD – The Center for Autism and Relevant Disorders has a great calendar of sensory friendly events throughout the month. Visit your local CARD events page!
In Central Florida, The University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities provides services within the geographical region that includes Orange, Lake, Osceola, Sumter, Brevard, Volusia, and Seminole Counties. Visit their website at https://cfl.ucf-card.org
HUG – Super cool website that captures the local recreational events that are meant for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
Social Media – You can search for events on sites like Facebook. Facebook has special needs groups of all kinds, some are disability specific (Autism, Down Syndrome, etc.) or non-disability specific. You can look for groups in your local vicinity or join nationwide ones for information and support. Either way, you might find out about local events, social activities, or other fun stuff going on in your neighborhood. You can also search Facebook for events using the term “disability friendly or sensory friendly” when looking for fun things to do. Meetup is another great resource for identifying any special needs groups that organize community events or social activities for kids with autism or other disabilities.
For those living near Central Florida, the following are some supportive and helpful Facebook groups for special needs parents:
Wespeak : Parent Group @ Lake County
Central Florida Autism Community
Special Needs Families Connect
The following are a few other Facebook groups open to special needs parents everywhere:
Autism Parents Support & Discussion Group
The No Rant Zone: Strong Moms of Children with High Functioning Autism
To find more groups, its helpful to type in the Facebook Search Bar:
- Your city + Autism
- Your City + Special Needs Diagnosis of Your Child + Support
- Do a Google search
Sensory Friends – There’s a comprehensive list of special needs summer fun camps (daytime and overnight) and recreational agencies to check out!
Although the summer season brings changes in routines that may cause some challenges in families of children with autism, helping our kids adapt to these changes by being prepared will help the transition go smoothly. Planning ahead with a daily schedule of choices for activities that are fun, educational, and in the community can make the summer a fun and memorable one! I hope you and your family have a safe and fun summer!
