As the school year comes to a close, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families may experience challenges with the transition to summer and the longer breaks that accompany it.
Individuals with autism often thrive with schedule and structure, and when that gets disrupted, anxiety and challenging behaviors can increase. Although extended school year (ESY) programs and summer camps can help, children with autism must still often confront new routines, less structure, and many new faces. Plus, with the warmer weather and potential family vacation plans, things like water safety and air travel can turn into big stresses for families.
At Autism New Jersey, we know that preparation and planning are often critical steps to ensure success during potentially challenging times. Here are some resources:
Our Knowledge Hub contains several relevant articles, including:
- Summer Camps Bring Challenges, Growth for Children with Autism
- Water Safety: A Priority for Summer
- Air Travel and Autism
We maintain a list of autism-friendly camps and recreational activities in our online referral database.
Looking for more support this summer?
Autism New Jersey will host Health and Wellness Coaching Sessions and Wellness Connection Sessions on topics such as making time for movement, self-compassion, supporting siblings, and more. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on upcoming community events and additional resources.
Remember that you can always call our free 800.4.AUTISM Helpline or email information@autismnj.org.