Summer Holidays?

I really like the ideas you already have. I take my boys to the park for picnics, to the museum (In western Australia its only gold coin donation to enter) and to the beach.
What about searching Pinterest for sensory play ideas like water play/water tables, making mud pies and sensory tables which you could probably make from things around the house or get a few items from somewhere like poundland(?). Make your own play-dough, I know you said your house was small so you could pack the play-dough and take that to the woods and do imprints of leaves ans twigs etc
I'm not sure if the above is suitable for your LO but I hope this helps

How about making a scrapbook....one which you can look at later to remind him of his summer and the things he did...it could include photos of him in the wood...leaves from the wood...the bag from his pik'n'mix..the stick that he used for toasting marshmallows....try and go for a variety of textures, not just paper things stuck in!

You could make a 'tent' indoors...clothes airer covered by a large blanket...or even a couple of dining chairs covered by a sheet...and have a 'carpet picnic' for lunch....(Just be careful to monitor his comfort levels...some autistic kids love to hide away...others can freak out if it is too enclosed!)...(I have memories of sitting in the dark cupboard-under-the-stairs reading comics by torch-light....)

Check your local cinema...some do 'Autistic friendly' showings of films during the summer holiday...allowing free movement around the cinema and bring-your-own snacks....or do a cinema-at-home with a Pok!mon DVD and his bag of pik'n'mix

If you have a garden he can sit in...maybe on a groundsheet......you could have some old cups/bowls - plastic ones...different sizes..a few plastic animals...maybe a boat.....and a large bowl of water to put these items into and splash them...(if the lad is happy/safe then you could use sand too....but not if he is likely to eat it....I used to experience by tasting...still do!!!!...and EVERYTHING went into my mouth...sand...dirt...)

And when you have your list of things to do...maybe you could get a timetable on the wall...or little cards made to give him each day with a picture to tell him/remind him of what he will be doing that day?

River dipping with a fishing net could be combined with a bug hunt to make a day of it.
does he like dogs, if so how about some dog walking for friends or visit a dog rescue centre and help out.
Lego clubs are good and autism friendly.
If you have a carers card you can get into zoo`s, safari parks, and theme parks free just paying for your son.

All these suggestions are brilliant. I have an autistic grandson so I know the difficulties. Do you have an autistic group near you? It might be worth finding out because they often have holiday activities going on.

Do try to find something where someone else will be responsible for him for a while. You also have to look after you my love. Being with any child for any length of time is exhausting, with a challenging child you can multiply that a dozen times. Plus it can be screamingly boring. You need periods on your own and also periods with other adults.

I don't know your circumstances so I can't advise you on how this can be achieved, but I worry about you. Of course you do your best for your child, but if you don't get a break you will cave in, and that will be bad for both of you.

Hope I'm not overstepping the mark here.

x

I think it would be good for everyone if you include him on some of your household chores. No harm in that! My neurotypical son preferred company and doing stuff like cooking/baking/dusting etc rather than playing!