Making the Most of Summer: Outdoor Activities + Water Safety for Autistic Individuals
By Lindsay Thelin Wagner, MOT, OTR, Director of Neurodiversity & Community Inclusion, Occupational Therapist, League School for Autism
Sunny skies and longer days offer endless opportunities to engage in outdoor activities, which can be particularly important for autistic individuals. Spending time outside offers many benefits for people of all ages by promoting physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. With summer days finally upon us, it is the perfect time to consider how you can maximize your child’s time outdoors and meet their daily exercise goals while ensuring they stay out of harm’s way.
But how much activity is optimal for your child? According to the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health, children and adolescents should engage in at least one hour of physical activity, get 9-11 hours of sleep, and limit screen time to no more than two hours per day. However, research indicates that children with ASD have 39% reduced odds of meeting these activity guidelines compared to typically developing children. Autistic adolescents, in particular, are 59% less likely to reach the one-hour daily physical activity goal compared to their typically developing peers. This raises the important question: what can you do to ensure your child meets their exercise goals this summer?
Exercise can occur in many forms and settings, and extends far beyond traditional gym workouts. Especially for children on the autism spectrum, creativity is the key to improving engagement in physical activity. Outdoor activities such as nature walks, bike riding, trips to the playground, and swimming/water play are fun, yet accessible ways for both children and adults to enjoy the warm weather while staying active.
While spending time at the pool or beach a great way to beat the heat and stay active, it is important to take proper safety precautions, especially with autistic individuals. Water play is often a preferred activity for autistic individuals due to the sensory experience it provides, however it can quickly become dangerous without appropriate safety measures. The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services provides the following safety tips regarding water safety:
- Lock windows, door, yards, and water sources – Especially if your child is prone to wandering, keeping your home secure to prevent elopement can be lifesaving. If you have a pool, do your best to make it inaccessible without adult supervision by utilizing fencing, locks, and alarms.
- Know the dangers in your neighborhood – Be aware of pools, ponds, quarries, rivers, etc. that are present in and around your neighborhood. Take note of any places your child shows special interest towards. Raise awareness in your community, especially if your child is prone to wandering.
- Teach your child to swim and create safe water habits – Ensure safe water habits with your child by establishing a checklist they follow before entering any body of water, including baths. On the checklist, include getting an adult’s attention before getting into water. Also, many YMCAs and local organizations offer adaptive or 1:1 swim lessons specifically designed for individuals with autism.
For more tips about swim and water safety, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/autism-
wandering-and-water-safety-information-for-caregivers.
Daily movement is vital for people of all ages and abilities, especially for individuals with autism, as it can play a key role in emotional regulation and stress modulation. The summertime provides ample opportunities to go outside and engage in fun activities that make exercise enjoyable for the whole family. By creatively integrating movement into daily routines and prioritizing safety, particularly around water, you can help your child enjoy a fun, healthy, and secure summer season.
Resources:
1 Healy, S., Aigner, C. J., Haegele, J. A., & Patterson, F. (2019). Meeting the 24-hr movement
guidelines: An update on US youth with autism spectrum disorder from the 2016 National
Survey of Children's Health. Autism research : official journal of the International Society for
Autism Research, 12(6), 941–951. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2095
2 Autism, wandering, and water safety: Information for caregivers. Mass.gov. (n.d.).
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/autism-wandering-and-water-safety-information-for-caregivers
