Eight summer activities for children with special medical needs (and the families who love them)

Meaghan O’Keeffe, RN, BSN, is a mother, writer and nurse. She worked at Boston Children’s Hospital for nearly a decade, in both the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and the Pre-op Clinic.  She is a regular contributor to Thriving. Summer is approaching and school is nearing its end. For those who’ve endured a long, tough winter, warmer weather and a nice vacation can’t come soon enough. Finding activities to keep your children busy during the summer months can prove challenging. But when you have a child with special medical needs, it’s a whole new ball game. Some kids have physical limitations that make certain activities difficult. Some are wheelchair-dependent. Some need a high degree of sensory stimulation, while others become easily overwhelmed and agitated when exposed to too much activity. On top of that, families with a child who has special needs may have other able children who need summer entertainment as well. Sometimes, finding an activity that includes and engages the whole family is hard. Whether you’ll be staying put this summer or have plans to travel, here are some fun and inclusive activities for the whole family to enjoy. Close to Home Berry Picking Berry season is upon us. From strawberries to blueberries, raspberries to blackberries, fresh in-season fruit is yours for the picking. Picking berries is a fun activity for kids of all levels and an opportunity to spend time outdoors in an open, stress-free environment. Check out PickYourOwn.org for a ...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: All posts Meaghan O'Keefe Parenting Source Type: news