Welcome to Cantastic Authorpalooza, featuring posts by and about great Canadian children’s book creators! Today’s guest: Karen Autio. Take it away, Karen!

The most important tip for having a playdate with a child with developmental disabilities is just to have [a playdate].

—Sarah Lyons, freelance writer and mother of six

Playdates at our home got my super-social daughter, Annaliis, excited. She also loved going to birthday parties, but an even bigger highlight was a playdate at a friend’s home. However, these were rare as she was born with disabilities and used a wheelchair. I understood the hesitance of her friends’ parents in not knowing how to handle accessibility challenges and her disabilities. Still, how I longed for people to simply ask me how they could include Annaliis so she could have more playdate invitations!

Kayla and Piper

Through playdates, children develop the physical, cognitive, creative, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive. They’re a fun way to build resilience and relationships.

As playtime with other children is essential for every child’s well-rounded development, it’s important to make playdates inclusive and accessible!

My newest picture book, PLAYDATE SURPRISE, is a joyful story of friendship, problem-solving, and simple ways to make the world more accessible. When Piper comes over to Kayla’s house for their first playdate, they enjoy all sorts of activities, including dress-up. Annaliis loved getting down on the floor to play dress-up with a friend.

PLAYDATE SURPRISE also shows obstacles to having playdates for children who use mobility devices and how those accessibility challenges can be overcome.

Encourage your child to get to know children who have disabilities. Look for what they have in common. When your child gains a disabled friend and wants to invite them over, don’t hesitate to reach out to the child’s parents who can help you make the playdate amazing.

Annaliis (right) and her friend

Tips for Inviting a Disabled Child for a Playdate

The key to a safe and fun playdate is preparation. Here are some ways you can ensure both children have a positive experience:

• Discuss with the parent of the disabled child the best location for a playdate: your home, their home, or an accessible public place.
• Ask what their child enjoys and doesn’t enjoy doing so you can plan activities both children will want to engage in.
• Ask about their child’s accessibility needs, including washroom/restroom access, timing of washroom break, and what assistance is needed.
• Find out about any allergies and how long of a playdate is appropriate.
• Invite the parent to the first playdate.
• Offer a variety of fun, accessible activities.
• Include some creative or non-competitive options such as building with LEGO, a craft activity, sculpting play dough, or a cooperative game, and provide some solo choices like a reading nook.
• Beforehand, tell your child who is coming, when, for how long, and what you have planned.

Ideas for Making Playdates Accessible

For the playdate, plan to use the most accessible area(s) of your home. If your house is not wheelchair accessible, set up a play space in the garage, or carport, or outdoors. We often used our carport for playtime, especially for messy activities.

Other options are to meet at an inclusive playground or accessible park, zoo or museum. Watching a movie together at a theatre is another way to connect or having lunch or ice cream at a restaurant. You could enjoy an activity together like skating, bowling, bocce, or a kids’ event at the library.

Keep in mind the main goal of a playdate is to grow the children’s friendship. Have fun!

Accessible Painting

Recommended Resources

Here are some excerpts from websites full of helpful suggestions, along with links so you can read more:

“Children who are neurodivergent, or who have developmental disabilities, … benefit from playdates as much as their peers. … kids who have disabilities are just like anyone else; they want to interact with friends and be loved and appreciated.”

— Sarah Lyons – Accessible Playdates: What to Keep in Mind for Developmental Disabilities

“… asking about a child’s accessibility needs demonstrates that you care about creating a positive experience … try asking, ‘Is there anything I should keep in mind to make sure this space/activity/event is accessible to [your child]?’”

—The Nora Project: Planning Inclusive Playdates

“Disability is not as different as you might imagine…if you are a parent who wants to help your child invite a friend with a disability over to play, just remember that their friendship, and their shared humanity, can help you understand both of them and help them understand each other.” — Amy Julia Becker: Playdates and Disability

PLAYDATE SURPRISE (Scholastic Canada) and its French translation UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE (Éditions Scholastic), illustrated by Laura Watson, are ideal for ages 3-8.

Karen Autio, from Kelowna, B.C., is the author of eleven books for children and a sensitivity reader for disability awareness.

www.karenautio.com

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