There are many ways grandparents can help to ensure a great start for the new school year for their grandchildren

Back to School Tips

You can help to reinforce good life skills to increase your grandchild’s independence at home, at school and in the community. Using checklists with words and pictures to post throughout the house may be helpful to remind them to complete tasks. These brief videos may also be useful for teaching some skills.

If You Live Nearby

• Walk or drive with your grandchild to their school to acclimate them to the route.
• If possible, offer to bring your grandchildren to school or to take them to after school activities.
• Tour the school and familiarize your grandchild with the new setting (gym, library, bathrooms, cafeteria). You can even create a social story by taking pictures throughout the tour.
• Offer to volunteer or support the school’s fundraising effort

Grandparents who are not local can use FaceTime or Zoom to learn about their grandchildren’s school experiences and to encourage their efforts.

School Supplies are Always Welcome

Grandparents can help by shopping for or “gifting” school supplies now and throughout the school year. Placing orders online is particularly convenient. Resources like Amazon and school or office supply sites are competitive in pricing. You can find discounted school supplies at dollar stores, Walmart and Target. USA Today featured this article 12 Awesome School Supplies for Kids with Autism.

Clothing

As the school year begins, grandchildren will likely need new clothing.

1. 16 Sensory-Smart Clothing Brands without Tags or Seams
2. Target: the Cat & Jack  brand
3. ShopThuasne for seamless garments
4. Sensory-Friendly Kids Clothing: Collections – Sense-ational You (shopsenseationalyou.com)
5. Adaptive Denim Brand: Adaptive (seven7jeans.com)
6. Shoe Options: Zappos Adaptive | Zappos.com
7. Search Google for additional  “adaptive clothing” options

Preparing Meals and Snacks Together

Always check with your grandchild’s parents before offering any food to ensure that there are no dietary restrictions. When planning, shopping and preparing meals together, try to include at least one of their favorite foods in every meal. Introduce new foods slowly. Your grandchild may look at, smell or just lick the food before they are comfortable tasting it. Be patient and let them see you enjoying eating the food, too.

Here are some healthy options.

• Fresh apple or banana slices with peanut butter dip
• Fruit smoothies
• Mandarin oranges
• Applesauce
• Dried fruit
• Crackers or chips with Hummus
• Fresh vegetables cut in sticks
• String cheese
• Yogurt
• Popcorn

Additional snack ideas and recipes to prepare together can be found here.

Care Notebook

Offer to make and update a Care Notebook to organize emergency, medical, school and therapy records. By having updated information available, your family will be better prepared for emergencies, doctor appointments, school conferences and insurance claims. It makes a great personal gift for the upcoming holidays!

Recommended TV Shows

Atypical

Atypical is a mature, uplifting TV show that follows Sam, an 18-year-old man with autism. Viewers watch as Sam progresses through new independence and life’s challenges throughout the season. This show can be found on Netflix.

Young Sheldon

Young Sheldon is a heartwarming and humorous prequel to the TV show, The Big Bang Theory. Viewers watch nine-year-old Sheldon progress through life from early childhood to high school. The show focuses on friendships, family, and school. It can be viewed on Netflix.

Loop

Loop is Pixar’s newest wholesome, animated short that focuses on a young boy and girl. The young boy is neurotypical, while the girl has autism. Both characters develop a friendship while canoeing around a city lake throughout the story. It can be viewed on Disney Plus.

Post-Secondary Education

After high school, finding an appropriate program or college may be challenging. The following sites have helpful information.

Think College: This outlet offers resources for families and students to understand the different aspects of college, such as preparing for college, program development, and how to find peer mentors. The website also includes a databaseto help students find what college will help support their intellectual disability. LEARN MORE

Educational Opportunities Guide: Autism Speaks offers an in-depth guide to assist families on how to navigate the different paths following high school, such as community colleges, life skills programs, and four-year universities. LEARN MORE

Employment Opportunities

Employment Tool Kit: Autism Speaks provides a guide that includes tips, information and job-related stories for autistic adults seeking employment. The guide offers sample applications, resumes and details about job interviews. LEARN MORE

Prepare Now for the Upcoming Holidays

It’s not too soon to begin preparing for the holiday season. You will find some suggestions on our website here.

The members of GAN’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board wish you a safe and enjoyable summer!

Summer Activity Suggestions

• Plant flowers or vegetables in your garden: Grandchildren will gain a sense of responsibility as they care for and water their plants.

• Cook together: Follow a recipe that your grandchild enjoys! Go here for some “grandkid approved recipes.”
• Visit the library: Check out your local library. Enroll your grandchild in a library membership. Locate books and colorful magazines that cater to their special interests while having some quiet time. Choose some books to read together at home. Many libraries have storytelling times that might also be appropriate for you and your grandchild to attend.

• Visit a gym: Exercise together.
• Go on a picnic: Pack a lunch or dinner and enjoy a picnic at your local park or even in your backyard.
• Take a walk or ride bikes to a local park
• Visit a local aquarium, museum, zoo or another local attraction.

• Shop together for a simple craft or hobby you can share together at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or search online for one.
• Enroll your grandchild in a swim class for special needs individuals and encourage their progress.
• Horseback riding can calm those with autism. Check out local riding schools or programs for therapeutic horseback riding.

Find additional activities HERE

If you do not have an opportunity to be with your grandchild in-person, try to stay in touch with Facetime, Zoom, letters, photographs texts, emails or phone calls.

Summer Programs

Research online for programs and local summer disability inclusion activities.

Special Needs Summer Camps in California and Other States. Click HERE for a list of camps that accommodate children and adults with  disabilities.

These links are for Orange County, California but you can search Google to find local programs in most communities:

• Parks and Recreation
• YMCA Program
• Boys & Girls Clubs

Travel Opportunities

If you are traveling with your grandchild, refer to our Summer Tips to plan ahead for safe travel. For security, when you are out together, you can simply pin a note with their identification and your contact information to their clothing. You might also research for a simple tracking device that your grandchild can wear on their wrist or attach inside a pocket or a shoe.

Consider visiting attractions like these that provide special accommodations for families. A letter verifying your grandchild’s diagnosis of autism may be required to qualify for them. Call ahead to learn how best to plan for a visit (food available, recommended attractions, rest areas).

• LEGOLAND Resorts: All LEGOLAND Resorts within North America are now certified autism centers. The resorts are fully prepared to help families create a fun and exciting trip with their sensory guides and specialized training.
• Sesame Place San Diego and Philadelphia: These are Certified Autism Centers. offering sensory guides, quiet rooms, and noise-canceling headphones.
• SeaWorld San Diego: At SeaWorld San Diego you can enroll in the Guest Accessibility program, in which you will receive a Ride Accessibility Program sheet. The sheet allows one to book a specific time for attractions and rides.

• Balboa Park Museums San Diego: The Balboa Park, Museum of Us, San Diego Museum of Art, and the Museum of Photographic Arts offers Social Stories that families can download beforehand. These visual previews cater to high-functioning adults with autism.
• Fleet Science Center San Diego: On the third Saturday of each month, the center offers Autism Accessibility Mornings. The day allows for quieter explorations and a cooling-off space.
• MOXI Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation Santa Barbara: This museum presents a hands-on STEAM (science, tech, engineering,arts, and math) exhibit. They provide a sensory-friendly app so that visitors can preview the attraction. Visitors can also borrow a sensory backpack kit.
• 12 Best Special Needs Family Vacation: You’ll find suggestions for destinations that provide special accommodations for families on this site.
• DisabledHolidays.com: This website offers a series of hotels and cruises that best accommodate any disability. World-wide locations are listed.
• Autism on the Seas: This organization collaborates with Royal Caribbean Cruises. They include autism-friendly services and products such as dietary accommodations, phones/pagers for families, autism-friendly toys, Social Stories, and an adjusted environment for film watching.
• Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises offers an autism-friendly environment with sensory-friendly films, dietary menu options, and toys.
• The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens: This location is a Certified Autism Center with the attraction providing fidget tools, sensory guides, and noise-canceling headphones.

Visit Visalia: This City was the first to be designated as a Certified Autism Destination. You’ll find a list of hotels and attractions on this site with accommodations for those with sensory needs.

Improve Communication with Your Grandchild

Assistive Technology has many new easy to use devices that will help you to enhance communication with your grandchild. Autism Speaks.

The members of GAN’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board wish you a safe and enjoyable summer!

Begin Now to Prepare for Easter and Passover

If you are hosting family gatherings for the holiday, you can plan ahead to ensure all of your guests will feel welcome in a safe environment. Deciding on menus and activities ahead of time will help to make your time together more fun. Additional tips on how to prepare your home and plan activities can be found HERE.

Here are some activities to try when interacting with your grandchild:

Social Skills

1. Board Games with a Twist

Boost children’s social skills and manners through this compelling twist of checkers, mandala and chess. Children will learn to respectfully communicate with their opponents, wishing “good luck” or “good game.”

2. What Would You Do?

Build and enforce your children’s social skills through your rendition of “What would you do?” Families can create scenarios and discuss the appropriate responses to the situations.

Sensory Activities

1. Sort the Snacks

Make math fun! Give your grandchild multicolored snacks to sort by characteristics and colors. Teach counting, subtraction and addition by rearranging the food.

 2. Vegetable Paint Stamps

Engage in your grandchild’s touch and sight through these homemade stamps. Cut some vegetables and provide them with a cup of paint. They can dip the vegetable slice into the color and press it on the paper.

Calming Activities

1. Calm Down Drawer

Fill a drawer with toys that can neutralize overwhelming emotions. If your children are stressed, give them sensory toys to make them feel at ease.

2. Calm Down Cards

If your children struggle with strong emotions, create these calming cards to help them self-regulate.

For more activities please visit: Waterford.org

Autism Advocacy

The purpose of National Autism Awareness month is to raise awareness for the autism community. Many organizations sponsor events during April to increase

understanding and support for families affected by autism. On April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day, thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities will light up their buildings and businesses blue.

Check to see if there are any local events in which you can participate to increase advocacy and support in your community.

Family Guidebooks Available Online

The Organization for Autism Research has excellent guidebooks, manuals and booklets for families that are written by experts and supported by research to help families. The following guides are available for downloading:

• A Guide to Safety
• A Parent’s Guide to Research
• A Guide for Transition to Adulthood
• A Parent’s Guide to Assessment
• A Guide for Military Families
• Navigating the Special Education System
• Autism, My Sibling and Me
• Life as an Autism Sibling: A Guide for Teens
• Brothers, Sisters, and Autism: A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Siblings

Halloween Activities

Halloween is inevitably a celebration guaranteed with fun-filled excitement and engaging activities, such as trick or treating and arts and crafts. Listed below are some sensory-friendly Halloween festivities for those with autism.

Go here to make these activities and explore more:
American Autism Association

Thanksgiving Activities

Thanksgiving is the occasion we express our gratitude, celebrate our blessings, and enjoy the company of our loved ones. As you spend time with your family, here are some Thanksgiving-themed sensory activities you can do during the holiday:

Go here to make these activities and explore more:
Little Bins Little Hands

Begin Now to Prepare for Christmas & Chanukah

If you are hosting family gatherings for the holidays, you can plan ahead to ensure your grandchild and all of your guests will feel welcome in a safe environment. Tips on how to prepare your home, plan activities and choose appropriate gifts (some cost-free) can be found on GAN‘s website here.

The best gift you can give to your grandchild’s parents is to acknowledge every positive improvement that you observe in your grandchild and to praise (and never question) their efforts.

If you are hosting a holiday event, plan ahead to make your family and home comfortable. You may need to modify some family traditions to make everyone feel at ease.

• Prepare guests, especially children, in advance, to be inclusive and to welcome the parents and their children with autism.
• Plan activities that are not noisy or overstimulating: Modify lighting, sounds and the environment to be “sensory friendly” for the guests with autism.
• Provide a comfortable, quiet area for respite away from noise and visual stimulation where the child can go to be with their favorite toys or crafts.  You can simply place a blanket over a table to create a “private” space where a child can lie underneath.
• Ask about special diets before the holiday. If you cannot prepare the special food, request that the parents bring the meal(s) to your home.

Most of our best “Tips and Suggestions” come from other grandparents. We welcome you to submit your advice and success stories to info@ganinfo.org

Educational Apps

Speech Blubs 2

Speech Blubs 2 is a therapist-approved app intended to improve one’s speech. Language Therapy for Kids is a great resource to enhance a child’s communication abilities. Children with autism will stimulate their language skills through numerous speech-based activities.

Apple +Android

Otsimo

Otsimo provides over 50 games focusing on speech therapy. The app is modeled after augmentative and alternative communication systems (ACC) and applied behavioral analysis (ABA). Additionally, parents can track their child’s progress through the app’s reports.

Apple + Android

Make room for holiday gifts. Now is the perfect time to sort through cupboards, drawers and closets. Most of us have collectibles and other worthwhile items that our children do not want. Donations to the Grandparent Autism Network are tax-deductible. Create more space for all the fabulous things that you love AND benefit grandparents and their families affected by autism.

All donated items are sold through our e-Bay for Charity store, raising money to support our programs, services and websites. We welcome donated goods such as:

• New unwanted gifts
• Collectibles, Home Accessories, Craft Items
• New Clothing, Shoes and Handbags
• Fine, Vintage and Costume Jewelry
• Mobile Phones, Tablets and Laptops

You can mail or drop off donations for GAN at the store located at 23785 El Toro Road, #103, Lake Forest, CA. Contact us at info@ganinfo.org for possible pickup options in Orange County, CA and for tax-donation forms.

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Tax ID# 20-5230144

The members of the GAN Board of Directors and Advisory Board wish you good health, happiness and peace at the holidays and in 2023!

Travel and Activity Suggestions

Grandparents frequently travel and enjoy summer vacations together with their families. This issue is devoted to travel tips, autism and sensory friendly destinations and summer activities to enjoy at home with your grandchildren.

It is becoming easier to travel with children affected by autism. More staff members at venues are receiving autism training and more vacation destinations are becoming certified as “autism certified” organizations. In order to attain that status, at least 80% of the staff must receive 21 or more hours of autism training, pass a test and re-certify every 2 years. Many of the locations that have been certified are listed below.

Autism Friendly Destinations:

• Here are 30 Best Autism-Friendly Vacation Ideas
• USA Today also has these suggestions
• These destinations provide water activities

Questions to Ask before Making Reservations

State any specific needs your grandchild has to inquire what resources are available on site to meet those needs:

• What accommodations exist for individuals with autism?
• Are quieter areas or rooms available?
• Can substitutions be made for food dietary restrictions?
• Is there an accessibility pass available for site attractions?
• Are there requirements or restrictions for rides?
• Are sensory guides or maps available?

Getting There: Air Travel Tips

Before you travel by air, role play with your grandchild or visit a local airport together so they will know what to anticipate. Explain what they will experience during the security and pre-boarding protocols.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now has special accommodations for people with disabilities. Their website provides a video with additional information. You can print a TSA Notification Card online for your grandchild prior to travel.

At the gate, inform the attendant you are traveling with a child with autism and request your preference for pre-boarding or late boarding. Bring candy, gum or a chew toy to prevent ear popping discomfort, favorite digital tablets, books or toys and snacks.

Apply for an IAC Card

Some parks and attractions recognize the digital IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC), a free resource for individuals with disabilities who need special accommodations at participating amusement parks. Learn more about it here.

You will find additional Summer Travel Tips on our GAN website

At Home Summer Activities

• Plant vegetables or flowers in the garden.
• Share recreational activities and encourage exercise. Try walking, hiking, camping, skating, golfing, bowling or riding bikes together.
• Visit a local park, playground or museum.
• Create water games. Run through sprinklers, fill balloons and toys with water. Create an obstacle course together around the sprinklers.
• Watch a movie. Check your local theater to see if they offer sensory friendly shows or watch movies together at home with favorite snacks you prepare together.
• Engage in sensory play. Fill a small plastic pool or large topless storage container with sand or water and place some small toys in it.
• Make homemade ice cream. Here’s an easy recipe.
• Prepare summer fresh fruit popsicles. These look as good as they taste
• Read together. Visit a local library. Provide a selection of colorful magazines, books and graphic novels that explore cultures, people and animals from around the world or cater to your grandchild’s special interests.
• Build with blocks or Lego sets. Create a design together.
• Make music. Use rhythm instruments, drumsticks, pots, pans, wooden spoons and spatulas to play along with a favorite song. Dance together to the music.
• Make art and crafts projects. Provide supplies and encourage drawing or doing needlework together.
• Make an easy recipe of clay. Go here to view 5 recipes you can make with some ingredients you may already have in your kitchen pantry.

New Family Research Opportunity: SPARK

Stanford University is conducting a new online research study that will be the nation’s largest study ever  conducted. All ages are encouraged to enroll. Joining SPARK is simple – registration is online and participants provide a DNA sample via a saliva collection kit in the comfort of their own homes. Learn more online and encourage your family to enroll in the study here. Help to ensure a better future for all individuals and families affected by autism.

Stanford SPARK Study Flyer 

STAY-AT-HOME CLEANING

Now is the perfect time to sort through cupboards, drawers and closets. Most of us have collectibles and other worthwhile items that our children do not want. Donations to the Grandparent Autism Network are tax-deductible. Create more space for all the fabulous things that you love AND benefit grandparents and their families affected by autism.

All donated items are sold through our e-Bay for Charity store, raising money to support our programs, services and websites. We welcome donated goods such as:

• New unwanted gifts
• Collectibles, Home Accessories, Craft Items
• New Clothing, Shoes and Handbags
• Fine, Vintage and Costume Jewelry
• Mobile Phones, Tablets and Laptops

You can mail or drop off donations for GAN at the store located at 23785 El Toro Road, #103, Lake Forest, CA. Contact us at info@ganinfo.org for possible pickup options in Orange County, CA and for tax-donation forms.

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Tax ID# 20-5230144