Create a Successful Summer Break for Children with ASD

Sample schedule Now that school is out, days seem longer, and parents scramble to find activities for their children to participate in throughout the summer months. As this may be true for many kids, the change from spring, (and school time structure) into summer can be difficult for children on the autism spectrum. Children and youth with autism spectrum disorders do best when there is structure and predictability within their environment. Creating a structured environment in the home can facilitate a much easier transition into the summer months, and help parents plan activities for their family that will be much more enjoyable. Consider the following as you plan and prepare for the summer months.

Develop a daily schedule for the summer. Many families have schedules that become looser in the summer months and are not as structured as when the children attend school. Without the structure of school, many children become overwhelmed, and don’t always have the skills to keep them occupied, play alone, play with others, or make good choices. A schedule answers many questions for the child, and brings the predictability and structure while facilitating independence. What are we going to do? When are we going to do it? When can I do what I want to do? How long before I can do something else? Children and youth with autism spectrum disorders need schedules. Having a summer schedule is the first step towards planning for a less stressful summer.

Sample Schedule How do you develop a schedule? Consider the many activities your family will be participating in, as well as all of your child’s daily activities, and you are on your way. Here are some ideas to consider when creating the schedule.

Make sure the schedule type is similar to the one your child uses at school i.e., picture, object, word, first/then, etc.

Consider extracurricular activities that are appealing to children on the autism spectrum. Activities that have built-in routines such as swimming laps at the pool or involve a specific area of interest, such as a ‘field trip’ to the train museum can be successfully structured for a great experience. Remember, any activity that can be planned to include a same age “preferred” peer or peers is an opportunity to expand your child’s circle of friends in a comfortable appealing setting.

Remember to include other parts of your child’s day as well. Meals, bath, and bedtime need a specific summer routine. While you may not have an early rise time in the summer months, you still want to make sure your child’s routine, including when they get up and get ready for the day, stays consistent from day to day.

Consider opportunities to increase your child’s participation in daily activities around the home such as chores. Practice and guidance will help your child to learn his/her new chore, but don’t forget to structure the chore with the appropriate visual cues appropriate for your child’s level of understanding if needed.

Are you planning a summer vacation with the family? Consider where and whether or not the child is familiar with the destination. In preparation for the trip consider various ways to offer your child the opportunity to understand, prepare, and anticipate what will happen, where it will happen, and with whom it will happen. Travel guides, maps, brochures, and the Internet can answer many questions about the destination, but remember to provide visual supports. Consider these options:

Calendars/Timelines—Highlight the day of departure and the length of the trip. Marking the days off until departure together with your child offers an opportunity to talk about the upcoming trip daily, and answer questions.

Social Stories or social scripting—This gives a visual account of what will happen as well as the appropriate response. Reviewing the story or script daily gives the child increased time to process the upcoming event.

Cue Cards—Taking cue cards with you on the trip gives you the tool to redirect and remind your child of what needs to happen, or what will happen without always using a verbal reminder which can be hard for your child to process.

Remember, most children and youth with autism spectrum disorders learn best with visual supports.

The sooner a summer schedule is considered, the sooner everyone will start to plan – or at least become accustomed to the idea. Having a schedule that works is critical to every season. Note: As previously mentioned, many children with autism spectrum disorders use a very specific type of schedule. Such a schedule follows a specific progression. If your child uses a schedule in their classroom, you will want to develop a home schedule that is similar. It is also important to plan activities that are fun as well as learning opportunities for your children. For more information you may want to borrow or purchase the following books:

Activity Schedules for Children With Autism: Teaching Independent Behavior, McClannahan and Krantz,
Making Visual Supports Work in the Home and Community: Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Jennifer L. Savner & Brenda Smith Myles
104 Activities that Build: Self-Esteem, Teamwork, Communication, Anger Management, Self-Discovery, and Coping Skills by Alanna Jones

These books as well as many other autism resources can be found at; http://www.heartspringstore.org/

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