Enjoy These 5 Educational Activities for Children with Autism this Summer
For most children, summer is when they can break from rigorous schooling and enjoy the freedom from their structured 7-hour school days. But for families and children with disabilities, the summer can be a stressful and overwhelming time.
For students with developmental disabilities, summer comes with a major shift in schedule. Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) typically respond very negatively to even the slightest change in routine, meaning that summertime can cause these students to feel distressed, confused, and even depressed.
Under the Federal Requirements of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), every student with a disability has certain rights depending on their eligibility, including extended school year (ESY) services. At The Deron School, we offer individualized academic instruction and transition activities such as physical education, daily living skills, music, art, workshop, woodcrafts, gardening, and other outdoor experiences. If your child qualifies for these programs, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
5 Activities to do This Summer for Children with Autism
In conjunction with ESY, here are five activities to do with your child this summer to aid these students during this confusing time:
1. Create Sensory Bins
Children with ASD often benefit from sensory integration techniques. At special needs schools, such as The Deron School, teachers implement sensory tactics into their daily lesson plans. To provide your child comfort, create DIY sensory bins. This can be done with rice, water, ice cubes, etc., to help them understand their individual needs.
2. Make an Obstacle Course
While mental stimulation is essential to students with ASD during the summer, physical activity should also be prioritized. Through creating an obstacle course, children can be both mentally and physically stimulated.
3. Make Calm-Down Bottles
Some days will be more challenging than others, and creating calm-down bottles are a great way to soothe your child during a time of distress. These are essentially bottles filled with hair gel, glue, glitter, marbles, etc., that, when shaken up, appeal to sensory needs. Not only can these be used to calm your child down, but creating them ahead of time can make for another fun activity.
4. Create Decision Tasks
For parents that will be caring for their children with disabilities throughout the summer, it’s crucial to involve your children in day-to-day decision-making. This can be done by creating a weekly menu, a chore chart, or an outline of the day ahead. While these may seem like mundane activities, they can help your child adapt to the change in schedule and feel in control of their days and weeks ahead.
5. Puzzles and Matching Games
Puzzles and matching games are extremely appealing to children with ASD. Additionally, they allow for problem-solving and provide visual stimulation. Children with ASD typically think with pictures instead of words, meaning that these games are incredibly stimulating.
Reach Out to The Deron School to Learn More
Since 1967, The Deron School has offered a state-approved private school program and services tailored to fit your child’s needs. If you believe that your child would benefit from our wide array of resources and services, don’t hesitate to reach out to our leadership team with any admission inquiries.