Summertime is a great time for those on the spectrum to enjoy some fun! Working hard all year, all kids look forward to a break from school and a bit of a new routine for the summer months.

For those on the spectrum, this can be good and bad. Structure is good, so trying to create structure in the summer is very important. Personally, I always feel like a total break is a good thing. This is what worked well for our family. I think every family has things that work for them, but one thing is for sure is that summer is a time when you can have experiences that you can’t normally have during the year. For other people, they need to have total structure to keep their child feeling some sense of normalcy. This is good as well. Perhaps the activities are just a little different than during the school year.

Families take vacations or go to outdoor parks to enjoy the weather. I remember back in the early years, I was obsessed with structuring the summer. I would make structured plans and most of the time they didn’t work out. What I realized over time was that our kids needed a break just as much as we did. Once I decided to relax and just be in the moments that we were having, no matter what we were doing, the summer became such a lovely time. Sometimes not talking is just as important as talking. I have definitely embraced this.

We are extremely blessed as we have a cottage to spend time at in the summer. This has come to be a refuge for us, a relaxing place, a time for renewal and fun. There are no time limits, no expectations, no rushing around - it’s heavenly.

Yesterday, we went paddle boarding and just kind of hung out at our dock. Since we’ve been up at the cottage, we’ve just been hanging out and not doing anything in particular, which is such an amazing thing to be able to do. Even our dog is relaxing and enjoying the sunshine!

“Come to me,
all you who are weary and burdened
and I will give you rest”.
Matthew 11:28

God wants us to rest and reflect - no matter what that looks like for you and your family. We all need rest and restoration. We all need to reflect on God's goodness in the world and in nature.

I truly wish all parents of special needs children are able to relax and reflect with their children. I hope you enjoy your time together and most of all I wish God’s blessing on all of you.

Enjoy the rest! Enjoy the summer!

Shelly Wedge
Exceptional Family Ministries Coordinator
Amberlea Church