Your Summer, Your Rules: Making Outings Work For Your Family

Summer can be a time of fun and adventure, when many families find that their schedules have opened up to provide more family outings. This may include vacations, community events, and amusement parks, to name a few. These activities are full of opportunities for creating lasting family memories, but often proper planning and care must be taken beforehand to make sure those memories are happy ones. 

Unfamiliar places and new activities can create an overwhelming experience for children with autism, due to a combination of sensory overload, unexpected social interaction, and the overall change in routine. A lot of this can be avoided or lessened by making a plan that makes sure everyone feels comfortable and stays regulated. Keep the following things in mind when organizing your family’s summer of fun!

Early Preparation 

One of the most important, and thankfully simplest, ways to make sure your outing has a higher chance for success is to prepare your child in advance. Let them know what to expect ahead of time, not just the morning of but in the days leading up to it. The predictability of knowing what will be happening can help your child feel more secure and comfortable when it takes place. This may look like:

• Showing pictures of where you’ll be going

• Going over the game plan - the who, what, and when of it all

• Create a visual checklist or schedule for your child

• Discuss possible experiences: crowds, sounds, activities, people 

Stay On Your Own Schedule

There’s nothing wrong with a short-and-sweet family outing. There’s no rule book that says every experience must be an all-day affair. Smaller, shorter outings can keep overwhelm at a minimum, creating a much happier day out. These successful experiences can build confidence in your child as they experience new things in a positive, supportive way.

Pack With Purpose

Going somewhere new can be nerve wracking for many people, even more so for an autistic child. Items that provide comfort and familiarity can make a huge difference in how the day goes. Make sure to pack a bag for the day that includes items your child may want or need. This may include:

• Noise-cancelling headphones

• Fidget toys

• Sunglasses

• Water

• Favorite snacks

• Favorite sensory tools (weighted blanket for example)

Schedule In Breaks

Walking into an unfamiliar scene that is full of sensory input can be draining, both for your child and even for the rest of the family. There are often unfamiliar faces, strange noises, and constant activity going on all around. Plan to carve out time through the day to take a breather in a quiet, more isolated space. This could look like going out to the car for a bit, finding a quiet corner to have a snack, or just simply making sure once you’re home for the night there are no other overstimulating or unfamiliar plans on the agenda. 

Coordinate An Exit Strategy

Parents all understand that no matter how much you plan or think ahead, plans sometimes go awry. Instead of feeling pressure to stay in the situation, consider having a flexible exit strategy ready in advance. Leaving early isn’t a failure, it’s just a pivot that will help avoid further stress and overwhelm. Pack up when you need to and head home for some calming relaxation and try again another day.

Follow Their Lead

No one knows your child as well as you do - use that to your advantage! If you know your child is very easily overwhelmed, it may be best to skip the amusement park this summer. If they prefer busy environments and constant movement, maybe hold off on visiting the movie theater just yet. You will find that things will go much easier if you choose experiences that work well for your child’s specific needs and preferences. Don’t feel pressured to do what other families may be doing. Your summer, your rules!

Celebrate All Wins

Every success deserves celebration, even if it doesn’t look like how you originally thought it might. If you notice your child transitioned through activities a little more smoothly than usual, or recovered from feeling overwhelmed quicker than expected - these are all wins! Every small piece of progress builds on the next, and they all deserve to be celebrated!

How Bloom Behavioral Healthcare Can Help 

Summer is supposed to be fun, so don’t stress yourself out chasing the picture-perfect summer you feel is expected of you. There will be good days and bad days, happy outings and slightly overwhelming outings - that’s okay! Give yourself permission to go at your family’s own pace while prioritizing what your child needs to create a successful experience.  

It’s normal for new experiences to be overwhelming to a child with autism. They include transitions, unpredictability, and sensory overload. At Bloom Behavioral Healthcare, we understand how everyday situations like that feel for an autistic child and their families. Through compassionate ABA therapy, our team will work closely with your family to build skills and incorporate practical strategies that support communication, flexibility, confidence, and emotional regulation that will help your child thrive through their day to day life. 

We’d love to chat more about how Bloom can help support your child and family this summer and beyond. Contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation.