Children are known to lose skills and knowledge during the summer break when school’s out. They can forget some of what they’ve learned over the previous semester, putting them behind when school is back in session. It’s a common occurrence.
However, the summer break can negatively affect kiddos with special needs, like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), even more. There was a study in 2021 that followed 4,200 students for five years from kindergarten to fourth grade. They found that students in special education lost more learning during every summer than students who were not in special education. The researchers said their findings suggest “summer learning opportunities are crucial for improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities.”
Losing skills and behaviors is known as regression
Medical News Today provides a helpful introduction to regression in children and adults with autism. Here are some highlights from the article:
- Regression is when a person with autism experiences a significant loss of learned skills.
- Skills that are lost can affect language, social interaction, emotional regulation, motor skills, self-directed actions, and daily functioning.
- Signs your child is regressing can include avoiding eye contact, increased repetitive behaviors, and needing more help with tasks like dressing and feeding.
- Stress, burnout, illness, and environmental changes like moving or starting a new school can contribute to and cause regression.
- Therapists and doctors who specialize in autism can provide interventions to help children and adults recover the skills they’ve lost.
The importance of maintaining routines in the summer
Children with autism do best when life is predictable because they always know what to expect and can prepare. When their routines are upset – like when school ends and summer begins – the change can cause stress that leads to regression during the summer months.
The solution is to maintain your family’s daily routine as much as possible during the summer. Make sure mealtimes remain the same. Keep bedtimes and routines the same. Do the same day and evening activities as you would if school was in session.
The same goes for ABA therapy. If your child receives ABA therapy when school is in session, you should maintain that same routine in the summer. When you think about it, ABA therapy in the summer does four times the work for children with autism:
- It can be a comfort by providing them with a routine they know well.
- It empowers them with extra time to learn new skills and behaviors and practice what they’ve already learned.
- It provides an ideal time to learn how to better manage change and transitions in their life.
- It can prepare them academically and socially to start a new school year.
Make time for fun in the summer, too
According to Stanford Medicine, quality time spent together as a family promotes children’s cognitive and social development. Engaging in conversations and exploring new places or activities together, stimulates children’s curiosity and creativity, and of course, summertime is one of the best times of the year to do it.
The Baylor College of Medicine blog also points out that summer is a great time for kids with autism to participate in social activities, such as playdates, summer camps, and social skills groups. These activities can help children build social connections and practice important social skills in a fun and supportive environment.
That’s exactly why we created Summer Camp at The Behavior Exchange. It brings together the best of both worlds for children with autism – lots of summer-themed fun and goal-based learning that minimizes the risk of regression during summer break.
Whether your child needs One-on-One Therapy, an early start to prepare for starting school, or help learning social skills in a low-pressure environment with peers, Summer Camp at The Behavior Exchange is the place to be when school’s out in North Texas.
Our Summer Camp program is available at all three of our hives in Plano, Frisco, and Prosper. Even with all that space, we fill up quickly for the summer. Now is the best time to ensure your kiddo gets a spot. Contact us today to learn more and give your child a summer of progress for a brighter future.
If you live outside the North Texas area, you can find the best ABA therapy providers near you by searching the provider directory on BHCOE.org. BHCOE is the only international accrediting body for ABA therapy providers. Look for providers who have earned the highest accreditation possible – the 3-year accreditation – like us!
