Ah, summer. The season of sunglasses, peach cobbler, and river rafting. Summer used to be my favorite season since it meant no school, but as an adult, I can no longer enjoy that benefit. I was hit with more of the reality of what summer can do to someone on the spectrum within the past five years when two years in a row the temperature got up to over 110 degrees—record highs for Washington State. During the first of those two summers, I had no AC, and when that heat hit during both summers, I had to sleep on an inflatable mattress downstairs. Those brutal summers were among the trials that forced me to redefine what summer means for me. Now, I’m not as into hiking, swimming, or recreational activities as the next guy, though there are other reasons why summer can be a particular bummer for people on the autism spectrum.

Besides the heat, summer is a time for:
– The sun getting in your eyes
– Sweat
– Remembering to hydrate
– Remembering to put on sunscreen
– Large crowds in public places
– Loud beaches, parks, concerts, etc.

Then there are vacations, which include:
– Long car rides
– Long plane rides
– Adjusting to a different time zone
– Sleeping in a bed different from your own
– Lost sleep
– Plans changing last-minute

Then there’s summer camp, which includes:
– Heavily athletic games
– Big emphasis on teamwork
– Getting thrown around by water toys
– Hyperactive counselors with megaphones
– Moving around while screaming to the camp’s theme song
– Never hearing ahead of time what the day’s schedule will be, and other “surprises” and “mysteries” meant to be fun (even the lights-out time can be intentionally left a mystery until it happens)

Any one of these items could trigger a meltdown from a child not only with ASD, but ADHD, OCD, or any number of other mental disorders as well. What might be good disability-friendly summer activities?

Here are ten ideas for both kids and adults:

A Big, Open Beach– Several summers ago, during late August, I went on an overnight trip to Ocean Shores, Washington, and it was a nice, big, cool beach on the Pacific. Without the heat or the large crowds, it was a pleasant time there as I walked in long sleeves, taking in the beautiful scenery at both dusk and dawn.

Visit a Beach at Low-Tide- Early at dawn when the tide is at its lowest, a kid could get excited from lifting a rock and seeing a dozen little crabs underneath. Autistic kids usually understand animals better than humans, so spending a morning at a beach discovering aquatic life is a fantastic way to enjoy the beach before the heat and crowds arrive.

Whale Watching- Whale watching can often feel like a vacation since the outing is usually a day-long
commitment, with a boat ride that is far away from home, and long. Even without the whales, there are plenty of relaxing, pretty sights over the ocean. This is another suitable activity for autistic kids that’s good when trying to avoid big noisy crowds.

Bring the Family Dog- Bringing the family dog on family road trips could keep your autistic child from
developing anxiety attacks, especially if the dog is a certified emotional support animal. Lots of places, including Disney parks, warmly welcome service dogs, so having your four-legged member of the family could help, especially since dogs can sense early on when their owners are distressed.

Birdwatching- Give your kids a booklet of birds in the area to look out for, and they can be kept busy
all afternoon trying to complete this scavenger hunt in a nice, shady forest (albeit not one too full of hills or difficult trails). It’s also a nice hobby that encourages kids to stay still and listen to nature.

Go to the Zoo- Summer is the best season for zoo trips, and it can be an oddly comforting environment for people with autism because of the wide-open walking areas and the presence of animals. It would be especially great if you visited a zoo with a petting area because feeling a fuzzy goat can be quite therapeutic for autistic children.

Berry Picking- Berry picking can be a quiet slow-paced activity where you’re surrounded by the
wonderful smells of strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries. The best part is when you’re done, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor (pardon the pun) by eating a fresh pie made from the berries you just picked fresh off the bush!

Log Cabins- Carrying stuff on your back for hours to then sleep inside a tent may not be your cup of
tea, but with a log cabin, you’re surrounded by nature without the tent camping discomforts. A cabin always has a bathroom, a setup to make good food, and a warm bed, which is more sensory-friendly than the unpredictability of the outdoors.

Tent in the Backyard- Or if you do like tents, here’s a fun idea: put up a tent in your backyard! That way, you can enjoy the outdoors in a controlled environment. You can make s’mores around a
fire, watch the stars, and sleep in a hammock. Best of all, home is just a few steps away, giving you the freedom to go inside.

Conventions, Theme Parks, etc.- Most autistic kids have a special interest, so if your child loves Disney, take them to Disneyland! Even with the crowds and loud noises, the Disney brand should motivate them to have fun. Disney employees also have an excellent reputation for helping guests with special needs. Here’s a link to know what disability services at Disney parks are available.

Now, one last thing to know is that there’s no such thing as a universally disability-friendly environment; what may be very relaxing to one person on the autism spectrum could be sensory overload to another on the spectrum. Not all the options I listed above will make your autistic child 100% happy. Some kids with autism may have zero tolerance for seasickness, while others may have no problems with being at a loud concert. Some autistic kids may even hate not being in school because that means a disruption to their routine. At the end of the day, whatever your age, the summer experience is what you make of it; while it may take some creativity, you can enjoy the summer season no matter your ability.

Trevor Pacelli is a young adult on the autism spectrum as well as the author of What Movies Can Teach Us About Disabilities, What Movies Can Teach Us About Bullying, Summer of the Fruit Virus, and the illustrator of The Kindergarten Adventures of Amazing Grace: What in the World is Autism?, and the author/illustrator of Amazing Grace Goes to the Zoo.