We are families first, and summer activities for children with disabilities, chronic health conditions or developmental delays carry many of the same delights and dangers as their mainstream brothers, sisters, cousins and neighbors.

Summer time is a good opportunity to refresh our spirits and spend long lazy days enjoying family life. Sometimes we overschedule our free time and forget that we all need a chance to reconnect with our loved ones, think about our own life plans, and make small changes in the direction our lives slide into during periods of high drama or a crisis.

Children may be desperate for a break from grades, bureaucracy and academic expectations. Parents may feel exhausted from school related activities, even positive ones, as well as late Spring IEP planning, the lack of extended school year programs, schedules full of doctor's appointments, second opinions and third party evaluations, a long winter or cold, soggy Spring.

It's good to ask for help. Our extended families and communities need to know what they can do to keep our children and nuclear families included in vacation plans, and active in traditional events or celebrations.

We are all going forward together. Very often, the reflection and forethought in planning for a child with special needs benefits others in the family and community.

Community event planners might need to be reminded that children with special needs are going to participate and enjoy whatever programs are offered. Sometimes even family members cannot guess what simple accommodations would be helpful or required, or what kind of challenges might arise unexpectedly.

Unexpected creativity and consideration given to our children's challenges during summertime may change the way we plan their fall and winter months. Some families find that their children who have been refused extended school year services or programs actually blossom when they are integrated into mainstream community activities or unplanned family life.

Summer time is a great season for experimentation and change. Families who are not able to change routines or travel should not count themselves out of the adventure.

It may lift our spirits to seek out an inexpensive set of dishes, glassware or decorative items that remind us of a vacation destination, or an activity that we once enjoyed, that we could also share with our families.

Some people have hobbies or collections that have become more of a responsibility than a pleasure. Summer is a great time to let go of items that seem valuable but are actually costing more in time, effort or space than they are worth to us or anyone else.

No matter how small we start with an idea, it can grow into something that brings a bit of freshness and fun into our lives. We are role models for happiness to our children. Let's use the summer to show them how it should be done!


Communication and Summer Activities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44161.asp

Summer Weekend Getaways and Holiday Travel
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art43397.asp

Home Accessibility and Visitability

Car Safety Issues - Prevention is the Key

Automotive Safety Program IU School of Medicine
Child Safety Restraints - Special Needs Transportation
http://www.preventinjury.org/SNTrestraints.asp

Thoughts From the Middle of the Night

Sibling Support and Rivalry - Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33375.asp

Cousins of Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44239.asp

Grandparents of Children with Special Needs

Sleep Disorders and Children with Special Needs

Clothing to Block Sun

Car Games and Travel Activities for Children (forum discussion topic)

Summer Safety and Summer Fun (forum discussion)

Using Behavior as Communication

Soothing Children's Fears

Teaching Your Child to Plan Meals and Cook

Recess Skills for Children with Special Needs

Creating Solutions Web Site of the Month

Active Lives for Children with Special Needs

Do We Overtest Our Children?

New Mother Newly Diagnosed Child



Access - Able Travel Source
http://www.access-able.com

GimpOnTheGo - Traveling with a Disability
http://www.gimponthego.com

Wheelchair Accessibility
http://www.wunago.com

Travelin’ Talk Network
http://www.travelintalk.net

Easter Seals Travelers Database
http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_faq_accessible_travel_resources

DOT - Aviation Consumer Protection Division - Resolving Airline Issues
http://www.hum.wa.gov/generalInfo/links2.htm

Easter Seals Travelers Database
http://projectaction.easterseals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_travelers_database