When school ends and summer begins, many children are excited for a break. But for Autistic children, the shift away from school routines can be more challenging than relaxing. This disruption often leads to what’s known as summer learning loss — a regression in academic, social, or behavioural skills due to the loss of structure and consistent learning.
For Autistic children, structure is more than just helpful — it’s essential. Predictable routines support emotional regulation, which is the ability to manage feelings, stay calm, and respond to changes in healthy ways. During the school year, children benefit from clear schedules, consistent expectations, and familiar environments. These patterns create a sense of safety and help support both learning and behaviour. When summer arrives and these routines disappear, it can leave a child feeling unsettled and dysregulated, making it harder for them to retain skills or engage with new experiences.
Why Routine Matters So Much
While many kids enjoy the freedom of summer, Autistic children often rely on external structure to feel secure. Without clear expectations, transitions become harder, anxiety may increase, and emotional responses may become more intense or unpredictable. A consistent daily rhythm helps anchor children — it gives them a sense of what to expect and helps them stay regulated and engaged.
Strategies to Support Summer Routines
You don’t need to recreate school at home, but having some predictable elements in the day can make a big difference. Here are some practical ways to support your child over the summer:
1. Create a Visual Schedule: Use pictures, icons, or written lists to map out the day. Visual schedules help make time feel more predictable, reduce anxiety, and give children a sense of control over their environment.
2. Build in Predictable Anchors: Start and end the day with routines your child can count on — such as a morning walk, a midday quiet time, or an evening reading session. These “anchor points” provide comfort and continuity even when the rest of the day changes.
3. Include Light, Consistent Learning: Incorporate short, low-pressure learning moments into the week — like reading together, doing a simple craft, or playing a game that includes concepts like letters, colours, shapes or numbers. This helps maintain a learning mindset without overwhelming your child.
4. Let Your Child Help Plan: Involving your child in making the schedule — even if it’s just choosing between two activities — can give them a sense of ownership and reduce resistance to transitions.
5. Practice and Prepare for Transitions: Changes in activity or location can be hard. Use countdowns, visual timers, or simple verbal reminders to help your child prepare for what’s next. Practicing common transitions (like getting ready to leave the house) can also build confidence.
6. Use Familiar Supports: If your child uses specific tools or strategies during the school year — like sensory items, timers, or routines from their IPP — try to carry those over into summer. Familiar supports can help bridge the gap between school and home life.
It may also be helpful to check out local programming that offers a predictable routine or schedule. Children’s Autism Services offers summer camp programs that not only provide time outdoors with a group, the staff also uses strategies to support engagement and regulation to allow for access to learning opportunities.
A Final Thought
Summer can still be enjoyable for Autistic children — it just requires a little more planning and intention. By building in routine, creating predictability, and honouring your child’s need for structure, you’re helping them stay regulated and confident. In turn, this supports continued growth and learning during the months away from school.
Predictability doesn’t mean rigidity — it means providing the steady foundation your child needs to feel safe, explore their world, and enjoy their summer.