Sports, play, and recreation

The part of the week that isn't an appointment

Everything else in this binder treats your child as a patient. This tab is the counterweight. Children who have a team, a Saturday, and something they are good at do better on almost every measure that matters — and so do their siblings, who get to be somewhere fun for once.

Swimming comes first in South Florida

This is not a recreation recommendation, it's a safety one. We live surrounded by canals, lakes, and backyard pools, and drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism who wander. Adapted swim instruction — taught by someone trained to work with disabled and medically complex children — is the single highest-value activity on this page. Ask about survival-float instruction specifically, and about programs that will take a child who needs one-to-one support in the water.

Leagues and programs to look for

• Miracle League — baseball on a cushioned, wheelchair-accessible field, every player bats, every player scores, buddies paired one-to-one
• Challenger Division Little League and TOPSoccer — adapted divisions run inside mainstream youth leagues
• Special Olympics Florida — competition from about age 8, and a Young Athletes program for ages 2 through 7 that is really a motor-skills play group
• Therapeutic riding at a center accredited for equine-assisted services; strong for trunk control, and often the highlight of a child's week
• Adaptive surfing and beach days — several volunteer-run programs operate on South Florida beaches through the year
• County parks — Miami-Dade Parks runs disability-services recreation and summer camps, and several beaches keep beach wheelchairs available at no charge
• Adaptive martial arts, dance, cheer, and gymnastics — increasingly common, and unusually good for kids who need structure and predictable routines

Questions to ask before you sign up

• What is the staff-to-child ratio, and are buddies trained or just assigned?
• Will you accept my child's one-to-one aide or nurse, and is there a cost?
• Who is trained in seizure response, allergy response, and G-tube basics?
• Is there a quiet space a child can go to without leaving the program?
• What happens on a bad day — do we get asked to leave, or do you have a plan?
• Are scholarships available? Most programs have them and almost none advertise them.