FAQautism

It is fall in our part of the world – a time of cooler weather and swirls of colorful leaves. It is also the time of year that families of school-aged youngsters with autism are feeling the pressure and crunch of issues arising at school. Take a break from that stress and enjoy some inexpensive, easy activities.

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PUMPKINS. Go shopping for pumpkins at a store or a pumpkin patch. Pick out the smallest pumpkin, the biggest one, and the silliest shape. In addition to purchasing a big family pumpkin, consider letting each person pick out a small personal pumpkin to take home. You can carve pumpkins in the traditional manner or draw bold faces on pumpkins with permanent marker. If diets allow pancakes, add 1 cup canned pumpkin and 1 tsp cinnamon to pancake mix. Serve pancakes with real butter and sugar-free maple syrup or honey…yummy!

AUTUMN ART. Collect some pretty fall leaves and place on a piece of wax paper. Sprinkle shavings of brown, yellow, orange and red crayons around the leaves. Top with a second piece of was paper. Cover with kitchen towel and have an adult press with warm iron. Cool and cut a circle or other shape and hang the artwork in a window or on the bathroom mirror.

OUTSIDE GATHERINGS. Build a small campfire on a cool autumn night. Roast marshmallows if allowed on diets, and enjoy the vivid colors of the warm glowing coals. Lie down on a blanket in the dark, looking at the stars and listening for owls. Successful fall follies do not need to be complicated or time consuming.

TIP FOR THE DAY. The key to decreasing stress is to do something inexpensive and fun. You could even walk with your friend with autism through the leaves in the front yard, kicking and throwing them into the air.

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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