This June, the Autism Society of America is highlighting new and ingenuitive ways for families impacted by autism to navigate summer activities during COVID-19. Our goal is to provide resources to help autistic individuals and families find new ways to meet socialization needs, build skills and find camp alternatives, in addition to highlighting resources for LGBTQI+ individuals and their families during pride month.

 Below we have compiled a digital toolkit of resources, information, referrals, and support to help autistic individuals and their families navigate summer socialization and pride month this June.

Summer Camp Alternatives & Virtual Experiences

• Kids Camp’s Directory for Online Summer Camps
• Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks offering Virtual Tours
• Virtual Field Trips you can take from home
• Must-Try Indoor Activities for Kids at Home by Little Bins, Little Hands

Educational Materials and Activities

• Autism Society’s Home Learning Resources During COVID-19, including:
  • Educating All Learners, a hub of curated tools, strategies and best practices for supporting students with disabilities
  • Child Mind Institute’s Family Resources for Remote Learning
• Autism Society’s Advocacy Efforts for COVID-19
• Five Effective Strategies for Students with Autism During Social Isolation or Quarantine
• Designing the Perfect Home Playroom for Children with Autism – a complete guide
• Temple Grandin’s Advice to Help Children with Autism Cope During Quarantine

Skill-Building Activities

• Autism Parenting’s Top Ways to Meet ASD Children’s Sensory Needs While Stuck at Home
• Maintaining Skills with Routine During COVID-19
• Art of Autism’s “Quarantine & Chill: 10 Fun Activities When You’re Asked to Stay Home“
• Social Skill Strategies for Children with Autism (3-8 years old)
• Social Skills Activities for Elementary Age Students with Autism
• Embedding Skill-Building Activities into Daily Routines
• A Parent’s Guide: Teaching Play Skills to Children with Autism
• Sesame Street’s “Caring For Each Other During COVID-19” – games, videos and printable resources

Pride Resources for The Autism Community

• Autistic Pride Day is Thursday, June 18
• “Living Under the Double Rainbow: The Colorful LGBTQ+ Community with ASD” by Milestones
• LGBTQ Resources by Asperger/Autism Network
• Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Autism
• Getting Proud, Staying Proud – an article about navigating Pride as a Disabled Person
• Sexual & Gender Orientation in People with Autism – Spectrum News

Affiliate Highlights

• Bridge the Distance Virtual Campaign by Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania: weekly challenges and engagement ideas leading up to their virtual walk
• Zachary Hoagland’s Water Safety Video created for Autism Society of Florida
• Autism Society of Minnesota’s LGBTQIA support group (temporarily postponed due to COVID-19)

We encourage you to contact the Autism Society affiliate in your area, as our affiliates are often the most knowledgeable about local services. To find an affiliate in your area, click here.

The Autism Society’s National Contact Center staff are here to support you and provide you with the resources you need. Our Information & Referral Specialists are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) or info@autism-society.org.

The Autism Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all affected by autism. $50 allows the Autism Society to provide an hour of support to our affiliate network to create localized education resources, support, and advocacy to individuals and families affected by autism. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our efforts through a donation, every bit helps. Donate here!