| Including Children With Autism | | | | Summer fun for children with autism can be fun, |
| Spring seems to come and go and summer is the | | | | by just having picture puzzles available, so your |
| time when there should be fun for children with | | | | child can put them together on your porch or |
| autism. What makes summer fun for children with | | | | placing a table outdoors for your child to work on |
| autism? | | | | with the puzzles. Including Children With Autism |
| Depending on where you live or the climate of | | | | You could purchase a light weight large rubber ball |
| your surroundings for the summer months, there | | | | and play catch with it, draw pictures of the trees |
| can be many variations of fun for the summer | | | | and clouds, water, boats and flowers. Be creative, |
| with your child who has the disorder of autism. | | | | children love new challenges that are fun. |
| If you live by many lakes, as I do in Minnesota, | | | | Summer fun for children with autism can be |
| the summer fun is endless. Children, with autism | | | | simple. Listening to music and relaxing with their |
| can go canoeing,boating swimming, walking, going | | | | parent(s), family, caregiver(s) outdoors or indoors |
| to the zoo, the library, bicycle riding, swimming | | | | can be very enjoyable. |
| and enjoying the many green lush parks that are | | | | Whatever is planned for to have summer fun, |
| filled with many picnic tables to enjoy your food | | | | with your child that has autism, you and your |
| with your child. | | | | family, should be prepared to be creative with |
| Each child, with autism, is unique and displays | | | | new innovations, ideas for planning. |
| many unique interests and talents. You, as | | | | Encourage your child to take part in the planning. |
| parent(s) or caregiver(s) must be interested in | | | | Give your child choices. For example, your child |
| your child, so you will be able to discern what | | | | may not like or enjoy swimming, but there could |
| your child with autism, can do, for their capabilities. | | | | be the possibility of swimming lessons available, |
| For example, your child may not enjoy bicycle | | | | which could encourage your child to participate |
| riding, but enjoy walking and looking at the | | | | and develop new skills. In addition, your child, may |
| flowers, or picking the flowers to take home. He | | | | not enjoy the zoo, but enjoy boat riding or |
| or she may not enjoy swimming, but enjoy the | | | | walking through a flower garden with many |
| visit to the zoo with all the variations of animals | | | | vibrant colors. |
| that are visible. Including Children With Autism | | | | Let your child know that the discovery of |
| Another example is, summer fun for your child | | | | summer fun is enhanced with the interests and |
| could be to enjoy an outdoor picnic, that requires | | | | development of trying new things and challenges |
| very little stress, but is still able to enjoy the | | | | that are geared to your child and the family. |
| summer outdoors and nature. | | | | The summer fun is surrounded with the interests |
| An excellent point to remember is, your child may | | | | for your child, the age, the climate and what your |
| not like bright sun-light or the glare of the water | | | | child is capable of doing. Never push or force your |
| that is on the lakes. So, take that into | | | | child to do something that will create great |
| consideration if you plan to be where there is | | | | frustration and anxiety. Encourage your child and |
| water and sun-light. | | | | love your child. |