3 Activities to Add to Your Child’s Summertime Routine
Therapies and Resources for Children with Autism & Families
For many, summertime provides relief from the strict routine that the school year brings. For a child with autism, this same “relief” that others experience can have a negative impact on the child. For children with autism, routines provide a structure that they may find beneficial. Consider setting a summer schedule for your child to follow. In our past blog post 4 Fun Summertime Activities for Kids on the Autism Spectrum, we mentioned 4 great activities for children with autism to engage in during the summer. Now, we’re presenting 3 activities that you can build into your child’s daily routine:
1. Draw with chalk
Getting outside and drawing with sidewalk chalk allows your child to express themselves non-verbally using art. And, once your child completes his or her masterpiece, you can ask questions about it to build verbal skills. For days when the weather isn’t cooperating, they can draw with chalk on a concrete basement or garage floor or on a black piece of paper. For children who have sensory problems, chalk may bother their hands – if that’s the case, allow them to draw with a different tool on paper. There are also plastic chalk holders that the kids with tactile sensitivities can use.
2. Read a fun book series.
Reading a book with your child is a great way to engage with them. You can start a book series with your child that you can read a chapter or two of every day as part of your routine. You and your child can take turns reading aloud and discussing situations that the characters end up in. This will show your child how different people react in different situations.
3. Ride a bike or play catch.
Find an activity that your child enjoys doing outside – it could be riding a bike or playing catch. Then, set up a designated time each day for your child to do this activity. This will provide structure and also give them an activity that they look forward to doing.
Setting up an engaging and fun summer routine can be a relief for your child with autism. So, consider things that your child enjoys doing and add those to your summertime schedule. Once you have a schedule established, stick to it as best you can – it will be beneficial for your child with autism if you do. Also, consider having your child join one of our social skill groups as part of your summertime routine. Your child will build their social skills while learning to play with others. Remember that our ABA therapy sessions and speech-language therapy sessions run all year long. For more information and resources, get in touch today.