March Break can be a great time to take a break, both for children and educators alike, but for children with autism, it can present a unique set of challenges due to the disruptions to their routines and surroundings. Parenting neurodiverse children presents unique challenges but having some time away from school provides opportunities to engage in activities that cater to their sensory and developmental needs. Structured activities can help you manage those challenges and even help your child to build or practice some skills. 

Prepare for the week

Create a visual schedule and display it and discuss it so that your child can get an idea of the plan and routine for the week. Creating a visual schedule requires some initial planning and thought so that it is meaningful to your child and is effective in helping them to manage their behaviour and expectations.

Points to consider:

• What types of visuals does your child understand best – objects, real photographs, video clips, line drawings/icons, or printed words?
• How complex can the display be – only 1 or 2 pictures at a time, grids containing 4 – 9 pictures, or many pictures displayed at once?
• What language does your child understand – simple labels or items that are specific to that picture only or can they understand that a picture of a location represents what can be found there?
• Will your child understand better if they can move/remove the pictures once that is finished to signal that it’s done or over?

Here is some inspiration: Making A Portable Visual Schedule For Preschool (for autistic children)

Need help making a plan? Below are some tailored suggestions for some safe and inclusive at-home and community-based activities and experiences.

At-Home Activities to Consider for March Break in Ottawa

Sensory Play with Slime

Crafting slime can be a fun, tactile experience that helps children explore different textures. Mixing cornstarch and water creates a substance that shifts between solid and liquid states, and offers a unique sensory activity that is fun and safe for your child. 

Consider adding non-toxic food colouring in your child’s favourite colour(s). 

You can build language skills by talking about the feeling of the slime (cold, smooth, soft, etc.) and the colour choices that they have (pink, green, blue, yellow, etc.). Increase their motor skills and math skills by having them measure out the ingredients and help you with the mixing.
thefca.co.uk

Building a Den or Fort

Constructing a cozy space using blankets and cushions allows children to engage in imaginative play and provides a calming retreat. Set aside this new area in your house as their March Break space.

You can increase their cognitive skills and language skills by getting your child involved in the process by having them name different items around the house that can be used for making the den/fort. The process of building the den also promotes physical activity, coordination (fine and gross motor skills), and visual skills (spatial planning and organization).
gympanzees.org

Homemade Musical Instruments

Encourage creativity and provide additional sensory input by crafting instruments from household items, such as filling plastic bottles with rice to create shakers or using wooden spoons and buckets as drums. 

Changing the items inside containers can provide additional auditory input that your child might enjoy.

Using the handmade musical instruments to beat out the rhythm of familiar nursery rhymes and songs can make this activity more enjoyable for your child.This activity can provide auditory (sensory) stimulation and rhythm recognition which helps build math skills. You can also increase language skills by asking your child what containers they would like to use, have them follow your instructions to get the items, and have them describe the sounds they hear and name the songs that they want to play.
thefca.co.uk

Community activities to try with your autistic child in Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa offers a variety of inclusive and sensory-friendly experiences for neurodiverse children. Here are some recommendations:

Sensory Walks on Accessible Trails

Exploring nature trails can be a soothing activity. Ottawa boasts several wheelchair-accessible trails, such as those in Kanata, providing an opportunity to engage with nature in a sensory-friendly manner.

Stimulate your child’s language by discussing the scenery and naming items that you see along the way. You can encourage language learning and motor development by practicing walking in different ways – slow like a snail, hopping like a bunny, walking backwards/forwards/sideways, etc.

Here are some wheelchair accessible trails in Kanata and the Ottawa area.

Sensory Storytime at the Ottawa Public Library

The library offers Sensory Storytime sessions designed for children with sensory processing challenges including children with autism. These programs provide a relaxed atmosphere with visual schedules, fidget toys, and a cozy corner to help children feel comfortable. 

Sensory storytime also helps your child with their language skills and attending skills. They will have opportunities to listen to stories read out loud, answer simple questions about the story, and practice attending an activity for longer periods of time.

myjournalcourier.com

Sensory Bags from the Ottawa Museum Network

Before visiting your local Ottawa museum, families can reserve Sensory Bags that include tools to enhance the museum experience for neurodiverse children, ensuring a more comfortable and engaging visit.

Using these types of tools can assist your child in accessing different environments and experiencing new opportunities for learning while having tools that will help them regulate and remain calm.

Planning ahead for March Break next year? 

Did March Break sneak up on you this year? 

You may want to consider applying for Autism Ontario’s March Break Reimbursement Fund which can help to subsidize activities or care for children with autism during the March Break period.

Bookmark your calendar for December of each year when the application process opens so that you can apply.

Looking for activities to do with your child before or after March Break? 

• Inclusive recreation activities from the City of Ottawa
• Sensory Friendly Films or Park the Stroller Films at Landmark Cinema
• Sunday afternoon Inclusive Dining at St. Hubert 

Also be sure to bookmark our FaceBook page at Maximum Potential to see other timely activities, events, and services for neurodiverse individuals and their families.

Whether at home or out in the Ottawa community, March Break is a great opportunity to create new opportunities for your autistic child and family. Starting with a (flexible) plan can help you and your child make the best of your time together. 

Looking for autism support or services in Ottawa during March Break? 

Maximum Potential is offering special services for new clients from March 10-14, 2025.

For new clients, we are offering a 1 hour no-obligation treatment planning session for $50 (a $200 value). 

What does this session include?

1. We will work with you and your child to understand their skills by completing checklists of skills and using screening tools to determine your child’s strengths and areas of concern and needed skill development.
2. We will discuss your family’s goals and priorities for your child. 
3. You will leave with a written plan of goal areas and suggested services which can be shared with your family doctor, paediatrician, or other healthcare practitioners. 
4. If you choose to receive services with Maximum Potential, you will receive a $250 credit to be used towards those services.

Maximum Potential provides compassionate, evidence-based clinical services and supports for children and youth with neurodevelopmental challenges, including autism, in the Ottawa, Ontario area.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA^®)/Behaviour Analyst (BA) is responsible for all services. Specific programming for speech and language development occurs in consultation with a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Book your session with us via Eventbrite today!