Summer Vacation Tips for Parents of Children with Disabilities

With summer well on its way, parents are preparing to adjust their schedules, as well as their children’s, for summer vacation. However, last minute preparation can sometimes cause stress and frustration.

This can be especially difficult for parents whose children have intellectual / developmental disabilities, who are making the adjustment from a structured school schedule. Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) offers these tips to help parents transition their children to a new summer schedule:

• Plan ahead – Providing a schedule early on and sticking to it as much as possible may help the transition to summer become less complicated. Planning ahead can also be helpful in letting the child know what will happen next, putting him / her at ease regarding upcoming events like family outings or vacations.
• Make small adjustments – Make a summer bucket list of fun things that the child loves and wants to do. For example, if the child likes animals, arrange a trip to the zoo. Taking those small steps can make the child feel less anxious when their routine is altered.
• Maintain a routine –The absence of school structure can possibly make children feel uncomfortable. To help counter these emotions, try as must as possible to maintain routines not associated with summer. For instance, continue schedules around bedtime, meals, and other outdoor activities.
• Engage in social activities – School forces students to be social through recess, gym class, or group activities. Enroll your child into a summer camp or a summer sport for children with special needs to keep connections open or develop new ones with children their age.
• Always have a Plan B – When planned outings are changed unexpectedly due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, children may have a difficult time understanding and become upset. An example of a plan B is watching your child’s favorite movie or doing an art project at home.
• Incorporate education – It can be helpful to continue with school work throughout the summer. Parents who plan to enroll their child into a summer camp, should look into whether or not educational activities are offered. Incorporating learning materials throughout summer will also make the transition back to school an easier process in the fall.