Parenting

10 Things I Won't & Will Do This Summer With My Child Who Has Special Needs

It is with great irony that I refer to June, July and August as summer “vacation.”  As I listen to friends and neighbors talk about their summer plans, I am reminded again of how different life can be in the world of special needs.  So here’s a rundown of what my family will NOT be doing this summer.

What We Will Not Be Doing

1. Sleep in.

2. Stay up late to watch scary fireworks.

3. Take a break from daily academics.

4. Allow the kids to swim without an adult in the water.

5. Jet off to...anywhere.

6. Stay clean.

7. Spend all day doing nothing.

8. Do the same thing every day.

9. Attend or host large parties.

10. Back-to-back activities without breaks.

What We Will Be Doing

So what will we do instead?  We're full of big ideas, but we're taking time to smell the flowers.  We’ll be working on goals - adaptive, social, fine motor, gross motor, speech and life skills.

1. Throw and catch a baseball.

2. Reduce one phobia - we will be working on my son’s phobia of darkened theaters by attending the Autism Society’s sensory-friendly movies at AMC theaters.  We may also attend a magic show or stunt show.

3. Tread water and dog-paddle.

4. Approach a friend and ask to play.

5. Conversational skills on the telephone.

6. Paint a still-life on canvas.

7. Write out a plan for a family excursion and packing supplies for the day trip.

8. Sort through old toys and clothes to donate - our rainy day activity.

9. Prepare simple meals and setting the table outdoors.

10. Prepare a menu of quiet activities so that Mom and Dad can “sleep in” until 6:30am.

What’s on your “to do” and “not to do” list this summer?