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How do you plan summer activities for a child with autism?
Summer has arrived, bringing along school vacations. This time of year is a favorite for many children and their families, allowing for a break from daily obligations and more opportunities to engage in new hobbies and spend quality time together. Nonetheless, it is crucial to highlight the significance of sensory-friendly summer activities, particularly for families with children with autism. These children may encounter additional hurdles due to disruptions in routine, the heat, sunlight, insects, crowded public areas, and other seasonal factors.
Embracing neurodiversity is vital in ensuring that everyone can relish the summer months. So, if you’re wondering, “How do you plan summer activities for a child with autism?” You’ve landed in the right place. In this guide by ABA Centers of Tennessee, we present ten sensory-friendly summer activity suggestions tailored for your family and your beloved one with autism, transforming this season into an extraordinary summer experience.
Outdoor Sensory-friendly Summer Activities
- Beach Exploration: When considering sensory-friendly summer activities for families with children with autism, visiting a large, open beach early in the morning emerges as a top choice. Early summer may pose challenges due to crowds and intense heat, potentially overwhelming children with autism. However, as August approaches and the summer winds down, beaches tend to be less crowded and cooler, making this period ideal for a beach excursion tailored to sensory needs.
Arriving at the beach in the early morning offers a unique opportunity to explore during low tide, uncover hidden treasures under rocks, and observe small crabs scurrying about. For children with autism, the chance to interact with marine life in a peaceful setting devoid of crowds can foster deep connections. The serene backdrop of the sunrise, coupled with the picturesque landscape, enhances the sensory experience, providing a tranquil and enriching outing for the whole family. - Bird Watching: Bird watching is a delightful, sensory-friendly summer activity. To embark on this adventure, consider visiting a nearby forest or nature park in the afternoon. Equip your kids with a pamphlet showcasing the local bird species to spot during the outing.
Bird watching offers a serene and peaceful environment, fostering a deep connection with nature while providing a calming experience for all involved. This activity also promotes mindfulness as children are encouraged to observe quietly and listen attentively to the natural sounds around them. Such attentive engagement can significantly contribute to their sensory development, making bird-watching a valuable and enriching summer pursuit for the whole family. - Berry Picking: Delve into the serene world of berry picking as a delightful summer activity for the entire family. The prime months for this experience typically fall in May and June, making it an ideal seasonal pursuit. Discovering nearby farms through resources like Pick Tennessee Products can guide you to the perfect picking spot.
Explore the vibrant hues and fragrances of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, creating a sensory-rich environment that captivates both your child and the whole family. Many locations offer the chance to indulge in a freshly baked pie crafted from the very berries you hand-picked to elevate the experience further, culminating in a delicious conclusion to this sensory-friendly summer escapade. - Backyard Campout Experience: Transform your backyard into a haven for adventure by organizing a charming campout. Setting up a tent amidst familiar surroundings offers a safe and controlled environment ideally suited to the requirements of your loved one with autism. Dive into sensory-friendly summer activities such as crooning campfire tunes, roasting marshmallows, sharing captivating tales, and marveling at the starlit sky.
The beauty of a backyard campout lies in its convenience, with essential amenities just steps away. A backyard campout allows you to access bathroom facilities and make quick trips to the kitchen for additional refreshments and meals, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for all the family. - Theme Parks and Water Parks: Embark on a thrilling summer escapade by venturing into Tennessee’s diverse array of theme and water parks, offering an exciting option for a memorable vacation day. While these vibrant parks may boast lively atmospheres with bustling crowds and energetic sounds, certain establishments like Dollywood prioritize inclusive summer activities worth discovering.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that what proves enjoyable for one individual with autism may not necessarily suit another’s comfort levels. Understanding and respecting your child’s unique requirements and preferences will shape the summer experience, ensuring a tailored and fulfilling adventure that caters to their specific needs and desires.
Indoor Sensory-friendly Summer Activities
- Facilitating a Playdate: Elevate your summer calendar by arranging engaging playdates. Playdates are a fundamental component of sensory-friendly summer activities that offer numerous advantages for your child with autism. Playdates present a versatile opportunity, adaptable to both outdoor and indoor settings. Integrating these social gatherings into your child’s summer schedule not only upholds consistency but also serves as a conducive platform for enhancing communication and interaction skills.
These interactions not only foster more robust bonds with family, peers, and friends but also nurture valuable social skills, enriching and enjoyable for everyone involved. Embrace the spirit of playdates to create meaningful connections and memorable moments throughout the summer season.
- Unleash Creativity: Incorporating artistic and creative activities into your child’s summer schedule can significantly benefit their development and ensure a fun-filled season. Arts and crafts stand out as exceptionally sensory-friendly summer activities and at other times of the year. These engaging activities not only spark creativity but also stimulate various regions of the brain, offering an expressive alternative, enhancing motor skills, and inducing relaxation. Embracing art and creativity in your child’s summer agenda will not just entertain them but also nurture their personal growth.
- Family Movie Day: Indulge in a relaxing movie day as part of your child’s summer routine. Planning a cinematic experience can prove to be both enjoyable and enriching for the entire family. Kickstart the event by carefully selecting movies that cater to your child’s interests. Set the scene with everyone’s favorite snacks, crafting a cozy home theater ambiance. Throughout the screening, cultivate a warm and respectful atmosphere, minimizing disruptions for an immersive viewing experience. Family movie sessions not only offer amusement but also aid in enhancing your child’s social and communication skills, fostering stronger familial bonds in a cozy and laid-back setting.
- Engage in “I Spy”: Embark on the classic game of “I Spy” for a laid-back home activity. Despite its apparent simplicity, this game serves as an opportunity to enhance communication skills in a fun, different way. The essence of “I Spy” involves one player selecting an observable object and providing clues like “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the letter…” The other participant then attempts to deduce the item through strategic questioning guided by the hints.
Beyond bolstering communication abilities, “I Spy” fosters keen observation and attention to detail, attributes particularly advantageous for children with autism. Furthermore, this game cultivates social engagement by necessitating shared turns and cultivating patience, enabling children to refine these crucial skills within a comforting and familiar setting.
- Dive into the Ocean Sensory Adventure: Introducing an ocean sensory bin into the realm of sensory-friendly summer activities offers a delightful experience for children with autism. Parents can initiate this engaging activity by acquiring a spacious, transparent container, filling it with water, and incorporating elements like sand, shells, rocks, plastic sea creatures, and aquatic flora. Beyond delivering tactile and visual stimulation, this activity proves to be profoundly calming. Young ones can immerse themselves in the diverse textures and hues present, while parents can enrich the exploration through interactive queries and games designed to promote communication and social engagement.
Inclusive Summer Activities and ABA Centers of Tennessee
Summer signifies a beautiful opportunity to relish quality family moments, explore fresh surroundings, and unwind from the demands of academic life. While transitioning routines can pose challenges for individuals on the spectrum, ABA Centers of Tennessee stands ready to offer assistance. We understand that the summer break may bring abundant free time for your child, creating hurdles in establishing a seamless transition amid work and other obligations.
With our ABA therapies, your child can persist in practicing crucial skills essential for daily life, routine establishment, adaptability to change, and more under the guidance of experienced therapists. Moreover, recognizing the significance of integrating sensory-friendly summer activities into the schedules of neurodiverse families is fundamental to us at ABA Centers of Tennessee. Hence, we offer inclusive summer activities and events tailored to our clients’ diverse needs.
Seize the summer season to uncover the advantages of ABA therapy and access autism care from the premier provider in the state. If you reside in Brentwood, Hendersonville, Nashville, or Madison, do not hesitate to reach out to us at (844) 423-9483 or connect with us online for comprehensive support and guidance.
