For many children with autism, summer break can mean more than a break from school. Without the structure and routine of the academic year or autism programming, children can experience a loss of skills and progress, sometimes called “summer regression.” Easterseals Midwest, a leading provider of autism services across the Midwest, is urging families to take proactive steps this summer to protect the gains their children have worked hard to achieve.
“The transition into summer doesn’t have to mean a step backwards,” Kris Krieger, Autism Supervisor with Easterseals, said. “With a little intentionality, parents can help their children keep building on the skills they’ve worked so hard to develop. It doesn’t need to be rigid or stressful, it just needs to be consistent.”
Here are three tips to help avoid skill regression this summer:
- Maintain a Structured Schedule
Predictability is often a cornerstone for children with autism. A consistent daily routine, even a more relaxed summer-version, helps reduce anxiety and set clear expectations. Families don’t need to replicate the school day – but building in regular anchor points, like wake-up times, meals, activities, and bedtime can go a long way. Visual schedules are a useful tool to make the day’s structure visible and concrete.
- Keep Practicing Key Skills
Skills don’t have to be practiced in strict settings – practicing them can be woven throughout a child’s everyday summer activities.
- Reading: Visit the local library, read before bed, or follow along with captions on a favorite show.
- Counting and math: Count items in the grocery basket, measure ingredients while baking, or keep score during a favorite game.
- Fine motor skills: Coloring, cutting, building with blocks, stringing beads, or working with clay or play dough all build dexterity in a fun way.
- Life skills: Encourage children to practice tasks like dressing independently, setting the table, or helping prepare meals. These real-world skills build confidence and long-term independence.
- Create opportunities to socialize
Social connection is a skill that requires practice, especially for children with autism. Summer can be the perfect time to nurture these skills. Whether through structured programs, playdates, community events, or low-key one-on-one time with a sibling or neighbor, regular social interaction helps children maintain communication skills and build comfort in a variety of settings. Easterseals offers summer programs and services designed to support social skill development in a safe, supportive environment - ask your care team about options that may be right for your child.
Easterseals serves more than 23,000 individuals and families annually across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas offering a wide range of autism services including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and caregiver support. For more information about summer services and resources, visit easterseals.com/midwest.com.
