Families in the Mid-South and all across the country are well underway with a summer of fun. While the start of summer is an exciting time, the transition from the structured school year to summer days can present new challenges for autistic children. The consistent routine of school with teachers and caregivers knowledgeable of individual support and safety needs provides a sense of stability and structure for autistic children; therefore, it’s important to plan and prepare for new environments.
As parents and caregivers of autistic children head into the heart of summer, these three strategies can help facilitate a smooth transition from the school year.
Prepare a Safety Plan Before Traveling to New Environments
Safety is a priority for all families, but for a child with autism, there can be increased risks. It’s important to recognize that wandering/elopement by children with autism is common, dangerous, and stressful for parents and caregivers. Autistic children with wandering tendencies can be drawn to water, which increases risk. Creating a multi-faceted safety plan is critical and should address the safety needs of an autistic child’s life for travel and new activities.
During the summer, update your plan for travel and new activities, with special attention to wandering prevention amidst increased access to pools and water. Sharing your safety strategies with new caregivers and childcare providers allows for the experience to be safe and inclusive. All of these tools and more guidance on safety practices can be found in Autism Speaks Safety Kit.
To help prepare your child for new experiences, preview the day’s schedule from start to finish and consider incorporating teaching stories and other visual aids. Establish safety rules that make sense for your child’s needs and explore the type of experiences that might disrupt them during the outing.
For example, if you’re taking a trip to The Children’s Museum of Memphis, you can review the types of noises they may hear, the expectation of crowds and new options. Plan to check in with your child, giving them time to decompress. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to safety for an autistic child, but preparing in advance can help ensure successful experiences.
Maintain Structure Throughout The Summer
It’s important to find ways of maintaining a routine during the summer months. Work with your child to create a visual schedule that includes daily routines to help them understand what to expect while giving them ownership of their schedules, which reduces anxiety. When going on outings, try to remain consistent with your routines. You may even consider bringing pieces of home with you, like your child’s favorite toy, to help them feel at ease in unfamiliar environments.
Be sure to work with your child to include activities that stimulate their interests, but also allow time for breaks. You can help your child self-regulate by setting time to address any challenging emotions, behaviors or sensory discomfort.
Everyone’s feelings and behaviors are different, so stay flexible and cater these breaks to individual needs.
Explore Opportunities for Socialization
In the classroom, autistic children are part of a community that provides an opportunity to actively cultivate social skills, which should be maintained during the summer.
To continue socialization, consider exploring playgroups or camps applicable to your child’s interests. As every individual on the autism spectrum is different, finding opportunities that allow them to pursue their passions will encourage them to socialize.
Building skills at home is a way to ease pressure around social interactions upon returning to school. Programs like the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training Program can help teach caregivers how to use everyday play as opportunities to build their child’s communication, positive behavior, and living skills.
Ultimately, the key to a safe and fun summer is working with your child to find the right mix of structure, activity, and downtime. Every child is unique, and summer is a great time to pursue the hobbies that excite them while introducing new activities.