It’s nearly summer! A day at the beach, swimming in a pool, going to a barbecue, going to the drive-in, or having a picnic in the park are all fun summer activities. It’s no surprise that it’s every kid’s favorite season.
Unless, they have sensory issues that make them feel victimized by the sun. At the same time, summer can be difficult in that it disrupts some of the routines that we are accustomed to during the rest of the year. A summer away from structure and routine can be dysregulating for some special needs children, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
It can be difficult to keep children engaged and regulated during the summer. Here are some tips to help you make this summer one to remember.
Ensure that you establish and stick to a regular schedule. Because your child with ASD is accustomed to a highly structured daily schedule, transitioning to a less structured schedule is bound to cause anxiety.
Begin by introducing small steps that will aid in the transition from school to summer. For instance, you could begin by talking about how many days are left in school and some potential summer break activities. Slowly introducing aspects of your child’s summer routine may help them feel less anxious about the change in routine.
A great way to visually introduce and explain social concepts and situations to your child is through social stories. It enhances your child’s comprehension of a social concept and ability to anticipate events. Informing your child ahead of time about what is going to happen, you can reduce the potential anxiety and stress associated with the activity.
You might find it helpful to have a timer that gives your child a visual cue. If you need to leave the house in 15 minutes, you or your child can set the timer to go off in 15 minutes. This lets your child see the clock and know that it’s time to leave the house when it goes off.
When making a schedule, keep in mind that each activity may not begin at the exact time that it is scheduled, so leave time for your child to transition from one task to the next.
Work on teaching your child about a backup plan or “Option A” and “Option B”. Discuss a backup strategy with them to reduce the behaviors that are associated with a “change in plans” by discussing with them what you will do if they are unable to complete the schedule.
If you have a child with ASD, having a fun summer break may require some extra planning and scheduling, but it will be worth it! Find time to have fun, enjoy the activities summer has to offer and watch your child thrive!
Summer with an ASD child may look different than it does for families with neurotypical children, but with some adjustments to expectations and plenty of advance planning, you can enjoy a fun summer vacation with your entire family as well!
If you could use extra support preparing your child for life experiences like this, Nurture Inclusive is here to help. Contact us today for more information on how to support your child and start setting them up for a more independent, fulfilling life.
Written by: Alex Liau
Published on 25 May 2023
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