The 2018 – 2019 school year is winding down and coming to a close. That means summer is just around the corner! Are you ready? If you are like most parents of children with special needs, summer arrangements for your children must be made well in advance. To assist with this process, here are some things you may want to consider as you put your summer plans in place:
- Therapy – What therapies will your child need to continue over the summer? Which ones can be put on hold?
- Summer School – What forms need to be filled out? Accommodations? Pertinent information for the summer school teacher, especially if the summer school teacher is not your child’s regular teacher.
- Sitters – Will you need time with the sitter to go over summertime routines and how-to’s? What are your expectations for the time your sitter will spend with your children this summer?
- Daycare – Do you need to fill out any special permission forms? Will the care providers need any special warm-weather-related instructions?
- Camps – Are there medical records you will need to submit with the camp application? Will you need to meet with the camp director and/or staff to discuss your child’s needs?
- Vacation – If you are traveling for vacation this summer, which hotels are the most special needs friendly?
- Respite Care – Do you need a break? Great place to start is here by contacting your local regional center for more information about respite services!
- Downtime – Just as you schedule vacations, camps, therapies, etc., schedule some downtime! Make it a priority!!!
- Plan Retention Activities – Especially if your child is not going to go to summer school. Find out if your child’s teacher have any recommendations for activities over the summer that can help maintain skills learned and practice skills that will be beneficial for the next school year.
- Plan a Daily Schedule – If camp is not part of the summer plan, think of other ways to create some activities for your child. This is especially important if your child has limited interests. He/she may settle into bad/challenging habits that will be hard to break when it comes time to transition back to school. Setting up other activities helps to break up the time and to give your child new experiences.
- Plan Family Activities – Whether it is an actual vacation, a day trip, half a day trip, or fun activities on the evenings and weekends, plan!
Summer is a time for fun! A time for your child to enjoy him/herself and to get a break from the academic expectations that school demands. Not only for your child, but for you as well. So, I hope this list helps in the preparation for a summer full of fun, excitement, exploration, and maybe something new! Do you have anything you would like to add to this list? Let me know!
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