We were made to be part of nature, and being outside can be a balm for our souls. That is so true for our children with autism and ADHD too. No matter where you live, you usually can enjoy the outside for a good part of the year. So why are nature outings good for your autistic child and how can you find ways to spend more time outside?
Reasons why nature outings benefit your autistic child
Being out in nature brings so many benefits to our autistic child (and to us and the rest of our family too!). So what are the reasons to encourage your child to spend more time outdoors in nature? They include:
- Promotes healthy development and growth
- Offers great exercise opportunities
- Increases attention span
- Supports cognitive function
- Helps improve social skills
- Improves overall sense of well-being
- Increases balance and coordination
- Improves awareness and observations skills
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Provides learning opportunities in nature (e.g., plants, animals, environment, etc.)
These are just some of the many benefits your child will experience in the great outdoors.
Our nature experiences
When my son J was younger, he spent a good amount of time outside, whether it was in our backyard or on outings to parks and playgrounds. Some of our favorite weekend activities were going to state parks to visit nature centers, let the kids play on playgrounds and hike on trails. Even when we traveled, we tried to find these places so that J and his brother could spend some time outside and burn off energy.
In our backyard, we had a playset, trampoline, basketball goal and sand box. My husband also built them a playhouse that he designed himself. J, his brother and our neighbors’ kids loved to play out there. I’m so glad we invested in providing engaging activities outside in our backyard to encourage them to spend time outdoors.
Now that he is older, J spends less time outside, but it’s the first place he seeks if he is stressed. Many times, he will walk around our backyard or in the court to think through things and calm down. He enjoys walking at times if my husband or I will walk with him, and we encourage him to get outside more.
How can you find ways to spend more time outdoors with your autistic child?
So how can you find ways to encourage your autistic child to spend more time in nature or even outside in your yard or neighborhood? Here are some suggestions:
1. Schedule regular visits to your city or state park
When you are making plans for the weekend, schedule some time to visit a park. You could bring a picnic lunch and make an afternoon of it. If your park has a pool, you can include some swim time if your child enjoys swimming. Visiting the nature center, hiking trails or even just hanging out at a playground provides your child with a lot of opportunities to enjoy the benefits of being in nature.
2. Create fun activities in your yard or identify nearby places outside for your child to play
If you own or rent a house, consider what types of activities and games you can provide to encourage your child to spend time outside in your yard. In addition to the items we had that I listed above in our backyard, we also had a fun water table for them to bring out when it was warm outside as well as a variety of games and sports equipment. My kids enjoyed kicking a soccer ball around the backyard (even though neither of them played on a team). They had fun running through the sprinkler on hot days. We had a tricycle they would ride on the back patio, and variety of outdoor toys to play with in the backyard. Make your yard inviting to spend time in, and your child will reap the rewards of being outside.
If you live in an apartment, identify areas where your child can play outside. Take your child to a nearby playground or let them draw with sidewalk chalk on the sidewalks near your apartment. You also can develop a daily walking habit around your complex or through the neighborhood nearby.
3. Develop a family habit of being outdoors
When J was very little, I walked him a lot in his stroller around the neighborhood, and we spent time in the evening in our backyard. Whenever we were working in the yard, we had our kids outside with us. They played while we worked, and we even had them help us when they could. Pulling weeds in flower beds and helping to pick up sticks before mowing the lawn taught them good lessons and provided us with much needed help.
4. Plant a garden
If you have space available, plant a small garden – or even grow some tomatoes or flowers in a pot on your patio or balcony if you live in an apartment. Helping to care for the garden can be a fun activity for your child, and they will learn so much from it.
5. Encourage your child to start a rock or leaf collection
J’s younger brother began a rock collection when he was in elementary school and had so much fun looking for new rocks to add to it while we were visiting a park or hiking on a trail. He still has it in his closet even though he is a teenager now.
6. Engage in bird watching
Consider building or buying a bird feeder and place it where you can see it clearly. Spend sitting outside and observing the birds who visit or even use binoculars to check out birds nearby. You could download an app to help you identify the birds you see.
7. Consider outdoor sports or therapies for your child
If your child shows interest in a sport that is played outdoors, sign them up and encourage them! My son J has run track for Special Olympics for many years, and we love the time outside for practices and meets. If your child loves horses, you may want to consider equine therapy for them.
You probably can come up with even more ways to spend time outside in nature with your autistic child. If you can find ways to link it to their special interest, even better!
Additional resources
Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out these resources below.
Forest School and Autism (affiliate link)
The Outdoor Scientist: The Wonder of Observing the Natural World by Dr. Temple Grandin (affiliate link)
WoodLand Explorers: Lesson Plans for Teaching Outdoor Education to Students with Autism or Developmental Delays (affiliate link)
What outdoor activities and nature outings has your autistic child really enjoyed? Leave a comment below so that we can share and encourage one another on this journey!
