More Summer Tips and Tricks
As promised, I’m back! And with summer fully upon us (and school now a distant memory), I wanted to share a few more thoughts specifically for those of you navigating summer with younger kiddos on the autism spectrum.
If summer feels a little extra—extra loud, extra long, extra unpredictable—you’re not alone. The structure of school is gone, the routines are different, and we’re left trying to keep everyone afloat with the mix of fun, therapy, play, and… if we can find it: sanity.
So here are a few tips I hope will help you feel a bit more grounded these next few weeks:
#1 – Keep things visual
Many of our kiddos on the spectrum benefit from visual supports. Writing a schedule with just a few of the days activities can help both you and the kiddos get through the transition. You don’t need a fancy program—just something consistent.
#2 – Don’t underestimate the power of sensory breaks
Summer often means more noise, more stimulation, and more people around. For our kiddos, that can be a lot. Build in intentional sensory breaks—even five to ten minutes of whatever is working for them right now can help regulate their nervous system. It’s not a luxury—it’s a need.
#3 – Say yes to sameness
Routines are magic. If your child wants the same lunch every day, or watches the same video ten times, or insists on the same order of events—it’s okay. Repetition brings comfort, and in a season that’s often unpredictable, “sameness” is a stabilizer. You need to realize that kids really are trying their best given how “different” the summer is.
#4 – Give yourself (and them) some grace
Your child might be melting down more. You might be more tired than you expected. The days may feel long and unstructured. The sun is sunning! That doesn’t mean you’re failing. Remember, your child’s behaviour is communication—and the adjustment from the predictability of school to the chaos of summer is a big deal. Meet it with compassion, not perfection.
And lastly—if all else fails, find a moment (even one!) that worked, and celebrate it. A calm car ride. A laugh. A completed task. That’s enough for today.
Hang in there—and if you’ve found a summer trick that works for your child, I’d love to hear it.
