JKP author Eileen Riley-Hall (Parenting Girls on the Autism Spectrum: Overcoming the Challenges and Celebrating the Gifts) has written a helpful article for the Special-ism website about how to structure summer free time for kids with special needs, specifically making use of summer camps. Here is a brief summary of the pointers she offers:

• My first suggestion is to access the summer programs offered by your school district.
• If the school doesn’t offer anything appropriate, get in touch with your local YMCA and inquire if they have a summer program.
• You might want to contact your local chapter of the Autism Society or another special needs organization in your area to see if they offer any summer programs.
• Depending on your budget, there are also a host of privately-owned, special needs summer camps.
• If you have an older child who can fly solo at lessons or a camp, then encourage your child to pursue those interests.
• This summer Lizzie is participating in a musical theater day camp that lasts three weeks.  If you haven’t investigated theater for your Asperger’s child, do it!
• If none of these options work for you, your best bet is to create your own “camp” schedule at home.

To read the full article, click here: Keep Summer Camps Simple and Focus on Fun.