Summer Time Tips for Children with Autism
School’s out and the routine that your child has been following since August is coming to an end. The routine that helped you maintain your sanity during the school year is no longer going to work. You know that having a schedule that allows your child the opportunity to anticipate upcoming events is important, but where to begin?
Will your child have the opportunity for Extended School Year or summer school instruction? Some schools will automatically offer ESY for their students on the autism spectrum, but most will not. ESY is a service that is available for students who need to maintain emerging skills, are likely to experience significant regression without academic support, or other factors. Typically the services will be provided with less intensity than during the school year. The purpose is to maintain current skills and prevent regression and must be addressed in the IEP.
You can provide opportunities for your child to grow and develop new skills with or without the support of the public schools. Look at the programs available through your local YMCA, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, library, and community parks. Many will have free/inexpensive activities for children scheduled to fill the summer. You will want to decide which things will be most helpful for your child. You might want to set up a play group with other parents of children with autism. This group could meet once a week with a series of planned activities, and each parent taking a turn to host the group.
Work with your child to create a calendar of events for the summer. Put the calendar in a location where it can be referred to daily. Looking at the calendar, checking for weekly activities or special events should be part of your regular routine. You will want to continue the use of your daily schedule that outlines what should be done each day. The daily routines would include getting up, dressing, hygiene requirements, meals and bedtime rules. Within your daily routine, allow time for the summer activities that you have selected.
If you decide to go away for a vacation, have your child help you select where you are going and what kinds of side trips they will enjoy. Use social stories to describe what can be anticipated as you travel to your vacation site. Read and discuss the stories frequently. As you pack the car for your trip be sure to include favorite toys and games that will help keep your child occupied during the trip (whether you are driving or flying). Allow for frequent stops (if possible) to provide time to “stretch legs” and move around.
Don’t forget your daily routine and your calendar. Keep your vacation schedule the same as your home schedule to provide the structure and support your child needs. Allow time during your day for reading and don’t rely on electronics to entertain your child. Keep a journal of what your child has enjoyed; take pictures to help remember the events. This will also provide reminders of “what I did this summer” once your child returns to school.
Don’t forget to enjoy yourself, be flexible and always have a plan B.
