Transition from School to Summer Break



While summer break can be an exciting time and needed break for many children and parents, for children on the autism spectrum, the end of the school year can be a challenging time. The sudden change in routine, from structured school days to unpredictable leisurely days, can make for a stressful transition into summer. To help families better navigate this transition, here are some tips and ideas:


Make a Summer Schedule




Providing structure and routine is helpful in easing the anxiety often felt by children with ASD. While it may be helpful to maintain a regular daily schedule, it may not always be realistic. We recommend aiming to prioritize keeping mealtimes and bedtimes consistent, as these contribute to children’s overall mood. You may also consider creating a written or picture schedule for each day, similar to how a school may provide this visual tool. This allows the child to know what activities or events to anticipate. Most importantly, set flexible and reasonable expectations for yourself and your child.

Prepare for New Experiences




If you plan on enrolling your child into camps or activities like sports, art, music, swimming, etc, it may help to introduce your child to what they can expect before they participate. It may be useful to discuss what to expect and even do the activity with them so they can experience the activity with a trusted and familiar person. Going to the location in advance, so your child can start to be comfortable with the new environment, can also be very helpful in transitioning to a new activity. If you suspect an activity will be overwhelming due to sensory stimuli, then it would be appropriate to prepare them ahead of time. 

Social Stories




Social stories are a common visual tool used for people with ASD to understand social situations. It can help children be prepared for new situations and reduce anxiety. There are many resources and examples online. As well, you could make and customize your own social story that’s unique to your child (e.g., include pictures of people they will meet). Social stories can also include suggestions to how to handle and respond to a given situation, for example, if your child runs into an overwhelming situation. 

Take a look at this link for further information on social stories:

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/social-stories-for-autistic-children/


- Gifted People Services 

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