| Kids love having a break from school, but the | | | | in? If you are traveling, can she pick which bed |
| shift in routine can be very difficult for kids with | | | | she will sleep in and bring her own pillow? The |
| sensory issues who struggle with transitions. They | | | | more of a sense of control she has, the easier it |
| may be more anxious and have more trouble | | | | will be for her to tolerate the unpredictability in |
| self-regulating their behavior because they don't | | | | your plans and the unfamiliarity of new places or |
| have a sense of predictability as they usually do. | | | | rare activities. |
| Of course, kids need down time, but those with | | | | Get them outdoors. The transition to milder |
| sensory processing disorder, or who have SPD | | | | weather may feel strange to the child with |
| and autism, also need more structure during | | | | sensory issues, and if he is used to staying |
| vacations than other children do. | | | | indoors he may resist playing in the sunshine. |
| Stick to the usual bedtime. Sleepovers and late | | | | Allow him to overdress for the weather if that |
| nights can be fun for some, but not all, children | | | | makes him more comfortable, with the stipulation |
| with sensory processing disorder. Kids with milder | | | | that getting sweaty means having to bathe or |
| sensory issues and better self-regulation may be | | | | shower. Find fun reasons to be outside. Go ahead |
| able to enjoy them as long as they are followed | | | | and take him to the movie he has be wanting to |
| by several days of being eased back into the | | | | see, but follow it with a visit to a playground, |
| regular bedtime before school starts. Some | | | | woods, beach, river, or field where you can kick a |
| sensory kids can't handle these huge changes in | | | | ball around. Schedule a regular time for walking in |
| routine, however, and react very badly to such a | | | | nature if only for 20 minutes (in fact, studies have |
| disruption. If you do allow for late nights or | | | | shown that a short nature walk has a calming |
| sleepovers, host them at your house to ensure | | | | affect on children with ADHD). |
| that the child doesn't stay up too late or wake up | | | | Structure the days and make a To Do list. Have |
| too early. | | | | your child awaken and eat breakfast at the usual |
| Keep them in the loop. If family will be visiting, | | | | time, then follow a written or picture To Do list of |
| mealtimes will be different, your child will be | | | | activities. |
| sleeping in a different bed, or you'll be attending a | | | | Explain sensory issues to caretakers. If someone |
| gathering of people, let your child know. Answer | | | | else will be taking care of your child during the |
| her questions about exactly what will be | | | | break, whether it is a relative, friend, |
| happening as this gives her a sense of | | | | grandmother, or someone else, fill them in on |
| predictability. | | | | your child's sensory needs and what to do if your |
| Make them a part of the decision making. While | | | | child becomes very uncomfortable and begins to |
| your child can't take charge of making the larger | | | | show signs of distress, withdrawing or acting out. |
| decisions, let her participate in decisions that | | | | Your child may not need a rigid routine, but a |
| directly affect her. Does she have to participate in | | | | simple one that provides predictability and a sense |
| every activity you have planned, or can she skip | | | | of control can help her to be much calmer and |
| some or "put in an appearance" at others before | | | | relaxed this summer. |
| retreating to a situation she is more comfortable | | | | |