Long Hot Summer
“The summer months are so long,” said a mother of two non-verbal youngsters diagnosed with autism. “It is hard to think of fun ways to fill the days of my boys. I need some ideas that don’t cost much and don’t take much preparation.”
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SPECIFIC STRATEGY Having something to look forward to each day can help keep the summer doldrums away not only for youngsters, but also for their parents and other family members. The same is true for individuals living in group homes and their staff. One idea you might try is having a “Theme for the Day.” For example, EVERY Monday could be “H2O Day” where every activity has to do with water – playing in the sprinkler, throwing water balloons, painting with water colors, and other water-related activities. Then, maybe every Tuesday could be designated as “Game Day,” giving you folks a chance to play “Go Fish,” Bingo, checkers, horseshoes, kick-ball, and hide-and-go-seek. You might pick “Helping Hands” as the theme for Wednesday. Activities might include baking cookies for a homebound friend, visiting a nursing home, raking leaves for an elderly neighbor, or writing a letter or coloring a picture to mail to family members. Every Thursday could be “Retro Day” where the boys enjoyed activities like those their grandparents played as kids: blowing bubbles, making paper airplanes, playing with a hula hoop, playing in a sandbox, or eating watermelon and spitting the seeds. You might consider having a “Summer Night” theme every Friday so your boys can enjoy looking at stars, playing with flashlights, watching fireflies, and roasting marshmallows around a campfire. These are just some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. You would want to, of course, pick themes and activities that fit your family’s interests. The basic strategy is to add some structure to the summer so everyone in the family has something to look forward to each day.
NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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