FAQautism

The winter mixture of short days, inclement weather, and lack of exercise bring on the blues. One way to improve physical and emotional health at this time of year is to participate in outdoor activities. How can we encourage our friends with autism to get out and about?

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KEEP IT SIMPLE. Outdoor activities don’t need to be time-consuming or cumbersome. We can make an impact on physical and emotional health by spending just 15 or 20 minutes moving around outside every day. Spend time with your friend with autism enjoying one or more of these activities: walk around the block, walk out to pick up the newspaper and mail each day, throw sticks for your dog to retrieve, shoot some hoops in the driveway, swing in the sunshine, jump on a trampoline, water the outdoor plants, rake leaves, sweep the sidewalk, tromp in the snow, or throw a soft, squishy ball back and forth.

MAKE IT ROUTINE. Individuals with autism often thrive on routine. Make an outdoor excursion part of your friend’s daily routine. Mention it at bedtime or at breakfast. If he has a daily calendar or schedule, insert “outdoor adventure” in each day. Over time, it will become part of his daily routine, and he will just expect to get outside every day.

DO IT ANYWAY. Sometimes we fall into the trap of assuming a person doesn’t like doing something just because they don’t express enthusiasm about the activity. When my children were young, I learned to avoid the question, “Do you want to go for a walk?” I also learned to avoid making comments like, “You’d better get some exercise” or “It isn’t good for you to just sit around.” Instead, I just announced that we were going on an adventure hike or a bike ride and shooed everyone out the door. As long as we are focusing on the well-being of youngster, we don’t need their permission. Parents and teachers of all teenagers learn quickly that teens often act apathetic and bored even if they are actually looking forward to an activity. The same can be true of individuals with autism. So the key to success is to do it anyway.

Tip for the Day: Get out and about during the winter to raise spirits and help everyone enjoy the long winter months.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: 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. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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