Fun Summer Programs for Autism
The sun’s shining down and the temperatures are rising — it’s time to get outside and enjoy all of the incredible aspects of the summer season! Taking walks, visiting the beach, and playing outside are all simple and entertaining options for getting out and about, but what if you want a few special events for your child to attend as well?
Below, we’ll look into some of the best summer programs for autism offered today. Read through the offerings and find a program or two you think your child would especially enjoy:
Autism Sports Teams
If you have one in your area, sports teams specifically designed for children with autism are an awesome choice. These teams can introduce your child to friends who face similar challenges and triumphs on a daily basis. They also include understanding coaches and parents, giving your kiddo a heightened ability to be comfortable in their own skin — no matter how difficult (or incredible) some practices and games may get.
The American Special Hockey Association and the All Play Miracle Baseball League are excellent programs to look into as you start your search.
If you don’t have a team that offers a specific summer program for autism nearby, individual sports are fun to try, too. Games like golf, track, cross country, cycling, or swimming are enjoyable, growth-inducing activities that don’t require as much social pressure as team sports tend to today.
Hobby Clubs
Does your child enjoy paper airplane making or model car creation? Whatever their favorite hobby may be, look for clubs in your area that can get your child out and about while enjoying their favorite pastime. Summer programs for autism and for everyone can be included in your search.
Getting your child involved in these clubs will not only introduce extra opportunities to partake in the activity they enjoy most, but it will let them make friends with others they can easily relate to. Friendship making is a much simpler process when there’s plenty to talk about along the way.
Autism Peer Groups
With summertime bringing about extra time spent at home, you may want to consider adding a peer group to your child’s schedule. These meetings will add a bit of social interaction into an otherwise quiet, potentially isolating time of year, and they’ll do it in a meaningful, difference-making way as well.
At Ascent Autism, our peer groups are designed to support children with autism in more ways than one. We provide a safe and engaging space moderated by a caring, knowledgeable leader who can help your child build social skills and friendships at the same time. We match groups based on multiple areas to ensure the perfect fit as well, extending to the interests, strengths, challenges, age, and availability of everyone involved.
No matter what it is your child enjoys most, there’s a summer program for autism out there that can benefit their warm weather days. Look into the options above or find a few of your own — the added activities, entertainment, and social interaction are sure to bring smiles to your kiddo’s face.
Jun 1, 2021Hye Ryeon Lee, PhD Hye Ryeon is a neuroscientist with over 10 years of experience studying Autism Spectrum Disorder, including at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She has published numerous papers on the mechanisms of autism in journals such as Nature, Science, and Nature Neuroscience.https://www.linkedin.com/in/hyeryeonlee/