For many years now, I have had clients come to me for stress-relief even prior to the 6-week long school holiday becasue they are worried about how they will be able to keep their child entertained, especially when it’s raining. In school there may be plenty of sensory activities for autistic children, but parents often tell me that they are at a loss for what to do at home. For most families, there is the option of summer camps and play schemes, but in spite of ‘equality’ laws, I have been horrified to hear from one of my clients that this is not always the case. She has a son who is autistic and she was told, in writing, that autistic childrn cannot attend the camp this year due to staffing shortages.
Whether this is discrinimation or a sad reality is a separate debate, but the truth is that for this Mum, along with so many other parents. If the typical British summer is its usual washout, she could find herself isolated indoors with a child who is hyperactive and whose eating and sleep pattern is likely to be disrupted.
Clearly, there are SO many routes I could go down with challenging situations such as the right to access summer activities for all children and the prevalence of loneliness and isolation in families affected by autism. However, I am choosing to try to come up with some constrcutive suggesstions on indoor sensory play for autistic children on rainy days over the summer holidays.
Creative Crafts & Sensory Activities for Autistic Children
Did you know that you can have a monthly STEM craft box subscription that offers a convenient way to engage your child in hands-on learning activities that are a playful way to continue the routine of school and which can develop fine motor skills in a fun way?
Each box is carefully curated with age-appropriate STEM projects that encourage creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. With convenient delivery to your doorstep, these boxes are a great way to save time and energy searching for materials or trying to come up with activity ideas, Plus, there’s the added excitement of waiting for your monthly delivery and opening it up to see what creative projects are inside! It’s a bit like me with my Riverford veg boxes each week, wondeirng what will be in them and what I can cook up in the kitchen!
Weatherproof Sensory Play at Home to burn energy
OK, this may be an extreme suggestion but if you have the space, then incorporating weatherproof sensory activities at home can be a great way to help your child burn energy and ease frustration. Setting up a sensory play station with items such as tactile play mats, textured fabrics, indoor climbing frames or items to create an obstacle course can provide your child with a variety of tactile experiences that encourage exploration. This type of sensory play for autistic children not only promotes physical movement and dexterity but also supports emotional regulation and cognitive development, balance and spacial awareness. By creating a safe and stimulating environment indoors, you can offer your child a sensory-rich experience that is immediately accessible with minimal effort for as short or long a play as your child’s focus and attention will allow. This can ultimately be less expensive and effortful than paying to go out to a public play area only to find that your child gets over-stimulated by the noise and excitiment.
Yoga for Kids streamed online
Although it is not always thought of as a typical sensory activity, engaging in yoga can be a fantastic way for your autistic child to stay active, calm and centered during the UK summer, especially if public places are too stimulating during the busy school holidays.
Yoga Download offers a plethora of yoga classes, including Yoga for Toddlers which is great at tackling concentration during yoga because the teacher moves through poses quite quickly before the children get distracted.
Mindfulness & Meditation Time
There’s also a great ‘bribery’ Chocolate Meditation class on the mindfulness of eating which is for young children and involves eating a chocolate button mindfully. You can see how attentive the little boy is when chocolate is involved! Obviously you can change the cholocate button for whatever your child’s favourite treat is. If you are concerned about giving him or her junk food, you could try using the Juice Plus berry gummies which are made from natural fruits but they still have the taste and flavour of fruit sweets.
Through simple poses, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques, yoga can help children with autism develop body awareness, improve balance and coordination and enhance their ability to self-regulate emotions. There are also yoga practices that you can do together, building a sense of calm connetedness.
Summary
In conclusion, navigating the UK summer with an autistic child indoors requires careful planning, but with a bit of creative thinking, there are lots of sensory activities for rainy days, whether it is the excitement of waiting to see what arrives in the monthly craft box, or a daily on-demand parent and child online yoga class or a complete softplay room.
For anyone who is interested, I am in the proces of setting up an online community space a bit like zoom, but with a better aesthetic!! The idea is that you will be able to meet up online with other paretns in a similar situation to yourself and arrange to chave a cuppa. I keep these space open so as you make friends, you can arrange a time that works for everyone. One some occasions I will be there to offer tidbits of advice from a functional medicine perspective, such as ideal meal plans for autism, or supplements to help parents de-stress etc, but mostly it will just be your space to unwind. At present I am able to offer these spaces free of charge becasue they are sponsored by commissions I earn through product sales such as the affiliate links on this page, and through Juice Plus fruit and veg in a capsule.
FAQ
What are some Indoor Sensory Activities for Autistic children during the summer holidays?
There is a wide range of options from online yoga classes for parents and chiildren, or creative craft box subscritpions that are delivered to your home each month through to the other extreme where you can install climing frames on the wall fo a spare room, or lay out padded jigsaw matting for rough and tumble play. For some autistic children, it may be an option to create a den underneath a bunk bed that has lights that change colour alongside other sensory toys.
How can parents create a Sensory Activities Space at home?
Parents can create a sensory-friendly environment for their autistic child by incorporating calming toys and tools like dim lighting, noise-cancelling headphones weighted blankets, fidget toys, and designated quiet spaces. You can also establish predictable routines, provide visual schedules, the most important of which is a regular sleep routine. There are several sleep tools that will help you establish a healthier sleep pattern, but as with most points I raise here, I think that’s one for another blog post or even a full course!
Are there any virtual or online programs specifically designed for autistic children in the UK to engage with during the summer?
Yes, there are various virtual and online programs designed for autistic children in the UK to engage with during the summer, such as those offered by organizations like the National Autistic Society, Ambitious about Autism, and Caudwell Children. These programs often include activities, workshops, and support services tailored to the needs and interests of autistic children, providing them with opportunities for social interaction, skill development, and overall enjoyment during the summer break. There are also online workouts for children and parents from Yoga Download which includes physical exericse as well as meditations.
How can parents help their autistic child maintain a routine and structure while navigating the summer months indoors?
You can maintain routines during the summer by creating visual schedules, incorporating sensory activities, and establishing consistent sleep and meal times. Engaging in hobbies, creative learning activities and interests that your child enjoys can also provide structure. Additionally, setting aside time for outdoor activities or exercise can help regulate their energy levels. Communication with the child about any changes in routine is key to ensuring they feel secure and understood. This way, you can balance structured activities with flexibility to create a supportive environment.
Can Sensory Activities for Autistic Children help reduce overload and meltdowns?
Having an environment at home that is appropriate for your child’s sensory perception will make a big difference to their sense of security. Some children appreicate tactile pressure and would benefit from weighted clothing and blankets, for example.
There are several things that can help an autistic child to be less likely to have a meltdown, such as having a structured routine, providing a quiet and safe space to retreat to when needed, using visual schedules and timers to help with transitions, incorporating sensory activities at home or time out in nature. Considering your child’s sensitivities when planning outings or events will also make a big difference EG if you need to go shopping, choose a time when there are fewer people, as crowds can be over-stimunating. It is also important to educate family members and caregivers about autism and how to support your child effectively and in a way that is consistent with the way you, as a parent, want it done. Overall, there is a lot that can be done to help manage or avoid sensory meltdowns, but that is a BIG question for another blog post at least, or maybe even an entire course!
