Another big change for you and your child with autism is just around the corner. We’re talking about summer, of course. It’s the season many kids love and parents often dread, because daily life as they know it will be disrupted and another task will be added to their to-do list – making plans for their kiddo in hopes of keeping them busy and content until a new school year starts up once again.
Change can be difficult for the best of us, and school being out for the summer is a big change for all children and parents, as this article from Brown University Health rightly points out. School provides kids, neurotypical as well neurodiverse, with a routine and predictably that they can miss when school’s out for the summer.
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“When the school year ends, that structure and consistency is suddenly lost. Children may not know what to expect at home, or how to schedule their time, which can result in stress and anxiety.” – Brown University Health
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They also mention that a lack of routine in the summer months can take a toll on a child’s mood, motivation, and focus. For kids with autism, the stress and anxiety that comes from not having a routine in the summer (or any time of year) can also lead to acting out and other unwanted behavior.
The key is creating a summer routine
This insightful article from Baylor College of Medicine stresses the importance of parents establishing a summer routine for their kids with autism. With a routine in place, parents are helping their child become more independent and confident in their abilities, leading to improved behavior and self-sufficiency.
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“Routines are important for children with autism because they provide a sense of predictability, consistency, and structure in their daily lives.” – Baylor College of Medicine
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The easiest way to create a summer routine is to begin with your school routine and make changes to it. Keep as many of the activities and timing elements from the school routine as possible. Your child will like the familiarity of those activities and find comfort and security in them because they know what to expect.
Easy wins are the daily activities that you can keep going all year round, like your child’s morning and bedtime routines, mealtime routines, and evening routines. The new elements of your summer routine will most likely involve activities during the daytime. But what are those activities, you ask? Well, keep reading!
We wholeheartedly agree with the Baylor College of Medicine that summer is a perfect time for kids with autism to participate in social activities, such as playdates, summer camps, and social skills groups. The social interaction can help children practice important social skills in a fun and supportive environment. Ultimately, it’s important to include activities that your child is most interested in and would enjoy doing over the summer.
Once you have your new summer routine planned out, the next step is to prepare it in a way that is easy understand for your child. This is where a visual schedule can come in handy as the Brown University Health article mentions. Visual schedules can be made of words and pictures that illustrate each activity and in the order they happen, helping your child better understand what is expected of them. You can also include check boxes next to each activity for motivation and to give your child a sense of accomplishment or include “first/then” statements for clarity.
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“Praise your child for their efforts to follow the schedule.” – Brown University Health
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Summer camp offers a ready-made routine
There are summer camp opportunities for practically every interest and every child, including children with autism and other behavioral and developmental needs. ABA therapy summer camps are even better because they last all summer long and offer an easy daily routine, made to order for children with autism that they’re are already used to and love.
As the gold standard in autism care and early intervention, ABA therapy during the summer is ideal for helping children learn and practice critical social skills in a low-pressure environment. Children can also work on all kinds of skills to further their development in important areas, from communication, language, and academic achievement to gross motor movement, self-care, and more.
In addition, ABA therapy summer camp helps kids retain what they’ve already learned. Children are known to lose learning during the summer. It’s called the “summer slide.” The same thing can happen to kids with autism (it’s called regression) when they miss going to ABA therapy on a consistent basis.
Another benefit of ABA therapy summer camp is therapists are in the unique position to help children learn how to manage change and transitions better, like starting school for the first time in the upcoming fall semester.
We make summer routines easy and fun
Summer Camp at The Behavior Exchange treats toddlers and young school-aged kiddos with autism to expert, caring, and fun ABA therapy, thanks to our summer-themed activities and one-of-a-kind curriculum. All of our programs are available during Summer Camp, including One-on-One Therapy, Social Skills Groups, and B.E.E.S., the Behavior Exchange Early Start for preschoolers. Each child can work on their individual goals, while having fun with their peers at are bright, colorful, and inspirational hives.
The only planning parents have to do is enroll and claim a spot for their child! Our Summer Camps fill up quickly, so don’t wait. Contact us now and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re giving your child a summer of growth, well-being, AND fun.
