| Whilst during term time autistic students are able to | | | | future as well as offering you some free time to |
| learn and interact with their fellow peers, that support | | | | continue working or anything else for that matter. |
| can be lost during holiday periods; particularly through | | | | Often they are structured so that you can pick certain |
| the long summer months. However help is often at | | | | time periods rather than committing to an entire |
| hand. With the increase in autism schools a similar rise | | | | summer; therefore you very much the option of when |
| has also been found in the number of specialist | | | | and for how long you choose to take your child to |
| summer courses available to children with autism. | | | | school. |
| Summer schools are a great opportunity for autistic | | | | Ordinarily these types of summer schooling events |
| students to continue their education and enjoy activities | | | | can be extremely popular. To avoid missing out it's |
| amongst their peer group. It's a chance for children to | | | | usually best to contact any specialist autism schools in |
| work together and do something a little bit different to | | | | your area, or even beyond to see what options they |
| their usual term-time activities, whilst also of course | | | | have and to check on availability. It is also an |
| learning all the time. | | | | opportunity to discuss exactly what they will be doing |
| This kind of autism summer school can be a blessing | | | | throughout the summer and reassure yourself that this |
| for parents, particularly those who are working full-time. | | | | is the best thing both for yourself and of course your |
| Whilst of course you want to spend as much time | | | | child. |
| with your child as possible, it is at least reassuring to | | | | The most important thing to remember when deciding |
| know that they are having fun and gaining some | | | | on whether or not to commit to summer school are |
| valuable life experience in a safe environment. | | | | the benefits for your child. Whilst team building activities, |
| The kind of activities that the summer schools are able | | | | the opportunity to make new friends and learning all |
| to provide can be hugely beneficial. And as they're run | | | | the while will obviously be great for their development, |
| by trained autism educators, children can really make | | | | it isn't for everyone. You may well be of the opinion |
| major strides in their interaction and general education. | | | | that they'd be better at home with their parents and |
| Of course each school is different and most will | | | | friends, which of course is true for many. |
| provide varying events and structured events for | | | | However, summer school should really be seen as an |
| students to get involved in; but all will aid their | | | | alternative. An opportunity for working parents or |
| development and ensure that they have the best | | | | those who need a short break from responsibilities |
| summer possible. | | | | through the days. Whatever your standpoint, be sure |
| Just as with the majority of specialist autism schools, | | | | to discuss it with a couple of schools and your child to |
| these summer camps are unlikely to be free. | | | | work out the best possible solution. |
| However, it is very much an investment in your child's | | | | |