Blog Post:
Summer can be a mixed blessing for families of children with autism. While school breaks offer relaxation, they can also disrupt the predictability and consistency that many children need to thrive. According to Autism Speaks and Autism Complete, children on the spectrum benefit significantly from maintaining structure and engaging in meaningful activities that reinforce communication, social interaction, and daily living skills.
Quote of the Month:
"Structure doesn’t confine a child—it sets them free." — Unknown
Tips for a Structured Summer (for Parents & Educators):
Create Visual Schedules: Incorporate photos, icons, or drawings to represent each part of the day. Tools like Boardmaker or Canva can help build simple, engaging visual aids.
Plan Purposeful Play: Use play to practice turn-taking, requesting, and following directions. Schedule social opportunities with trusted peers.
Set Up Daily Life-Skills Routines: Involve your child in cooking, chores, or self-care routines. These functional activities provide natural opportunities for learning.
Educators: Encourage families to use simple reinforcement systems at home to encourage positive behavior and skill practice over the break.
Limit Regressions: Provide parents with take-home packets, summer learning apps, or links to educational websites to reduce academic regression.
Try This Month: Start a weekly theme day like “Water Wednesday” or “Field Trip Friday” to create engagement and build anticipation.
Helpful Resources: Autism Speaks - Summer Toolkits, National Autism Association and Autism Complete - Summer Family Resources
Reflection:
In the summer months, it’s easy to let go of routines, but for families raising children with autism, structure is a lifeline. July invites us to redefine summer not as a break from learning, but as a chance to explore it differently and meaningfully.
Written and researched by Ms. Taquana Stubbs, Ed. S.