Happy Summer! School is out for most students. While it is wonderful to have a break from getting up early, shuttling to and from school activities and just having freedom to do whatever-it can be difficult and challenging for kiddos on the autism spectrum. No routine or schedule; knowing what the day will look like can create uncertainty and anxiety. Here are some tips to help:
- Set a time to wake up by each day; i.e. 8:30 a.m.
- Create a visual schedule for the day or days of the week.
- Let your child pick an activity for the day or days that week. Examples: going to the park, a picnic in the backyard, looking for a bug or digging for worms. If your child prefers the indoors, a picnic in the living room, making a fort in the dining room, playing hide and seek or sitting and reading a book together.
- Let them pick what’s for lunch and help make it.
- Allow for screen time each day; setting what time and for how long.
- Take turns with another family to take each other’s children once a week.
Please call our office Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with questions or if you are seeing certain resources in your area. We are happy to help! Enjoy your summer together!