“Expanding Access to Recreation, Hobbies, and Leisure”
About This Issue
Recreation, hobbies, and leisure are not luxuries — they are essential to well-being, belonging, and a life fully lived. Yet for many autistic individuals and their families, access to these experiences remains uneven, undervalued, and too often out of reach. This issue explores what it looks like to change that.
Featuring perspectives from self-advocates, parents, clinicians, educators, and community program leaders, this issue covers inclusive recreation spaces, special interests, the arts, music, fitness, travel, nature, and more — offering practical guidance and inspiration for expanding access at every stage of life.
Articles in This Issue
“It Really Is Disneyland”: The Benefits of Sleepaway Camp for Autistic Children and Adults
* Autistic Endurance: What Ultra Running Has Taught Me About Regulation and Belonging
* Autistic Personal Philosophy: Why Breaking Up the Autism Spectrum Would Be a Bad Idea
Beyond ADA Compliance: Advancing Recreation Accessibility Standards for Autistic Adults
Beyond Barriers: Making Mathematics Accessible for Autistic Students
Bringing Fitness to an Already Safe Place: Integrating Exercise into Behavioral Health Care
Building an Autism-Supportive City: Training Municipal Staff and First Responders
Creating a Home Environment That Encourages Play and Leisure for Autistic Children
* Do’s and Don’ts of Connecting Through Classical Music: An Autistic Perspective
* Finding Calm in Nature: Parent Perspectives on Outdoor Experiences
How Animals and Pet Therapy Enhance Recreational Experiences for Autistic Individuals
* How Special Interests Help My Mental Health as an Autistic Adult
* Increasing Accessibility: Mindfulness-Based Practices for Autistic Folks
* Online Recreation and Autistic Teens: A Parent’s and Carer’s Guide to Safe, Supported Gaming
Planning Stress-Free Vacations for Families with Autistic Kids
Reboot Before Takeoff: Regulation Strategies for Traveling Neurodiverse Families
Rhythm Nation: How Music Helps Neurodivergent Children Communicate, Focus, and Thrive
* Special Interests are the Key to Autistic Success, Employment, and Satisfaction
The Importance of Leisure Activities for Individuals with Autism
The Missing Middle: Recreation Access for Autistic Adults in New York
* The Performing Arts: More Than Access to Recreation for Autistic Children and Adults
* The Role of Anime as a Special Interest in Autistic Well-Being
The Role of Interest-Driven Experiences in Supporting Wellbeing for Autistic Individuals
The Voice Inside – How the Arts Express the Unspoken and Unleash Pathways to Success
Traveling with Children with Autism or Sensory Needs: Tips for Families and Single Parents
When Puberty Meets Autism: The Hidden Struggles of Autistic Girls
When Special Interests Look Typical: Understanding the Hidden Intensity in Autistic Girls
* Who Is Caring for Whom? Rethinking Care Work and Disability
* Indicates an article written by an Autistic Adult
