Having a child with autism brings many unique challenges when trying to find something for them to do. You know the difficult behaviors all too well; temper tantrums, squealing, flapping, running away, hitting…..too many to list. You also know the fear and frustration that goes into deciding what outings to try. Can I take all my children to the movies? We’d like to be around other families (especially other adults). How can I do that?

If you have ever attended a social event with Autism Delaware, you know a few things you can do already. The greatest feeling that I’ve experienced at an Autism Delaware event is relief. My son can be who he is, do what he needs to do, and make any noise he wants to make. All of this is done in the security of an accepting crowd. People who are going through the same fears and dealing with the same behaviors that would be annoying or incomprehensible in other circles. At Autism Delaware events, if someone is looking at you during a stressful episode, they just want to help. There is no judgment. There is no ostracism.

I am not sure of the first Autism Delaware event that Jake attended. Was it the Spring Egg Hunt or the Fall Festival? It doesn’t matter because each outcome was the same. Jake had a great time. He participated in the activity, danced at some point, played and ate. Certainly, those activities mean a great party where Jake is concerned. I was able to relax a little. If Jake ran off, it was to the stage covered in straw or to the table filled with cookies for a snack. My instincts still told me to follow him, but the beauty of it was that I really didn’t have to. He was fine. He was happy. He was relaxed, too. An Autism Delaware event is created with our kids in mind because parents of kids with autism came up with the idea.

If you go online to Autism Delaware’s website, www.delautism.org, you will find lots of information for recreation. The calendar lists all of the social events like the upcoming Autism Delaware Night at the Blue Rocks. You can also find links to many activities and camps offered by other groups. There are the autism-only weeks at Easter Seals’ Camp Fairlee Manor. There are therapeutic horseback riding facilities. There are Special Olympics, Challenger Little League and TOPS Soccer. Keep searching, talk to other families about their experiences and give it a try.

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