Summer is just around the corner. Are you ready?
Lazy days on the porch or by the water seem dreamy now. But the reality is, if we don’t get support in place, there will be very little relaxing over the next few months.
- Explore Extended School Year (ESY) – If your child is still in school, he or she may qualify for ESY. Now is the time to talk about it. Transportation is typically provided as are any services deemed necessary in the Individualized Education Program (IEP).
- Remember Routines – We often forget how challenging our child’s behavior can be when they are in school. Taking away that daily structure can be hard for a child and their caregiver. Start thinking about the summer routine now. Create visual schedules, make plans for days off, be prepared.
- Consider Camp – Summer camp is a great way to fill those long summer days. School aged children can often get extra support if it is set up in advance. Adults with disabilities can inquire about working or volunteering as a counselor.
- Set Up Supports – Now is the time to look for help. Reach out to family, friends, college students home for the summer (caregiving is an excellent resume builder).
- Make Time for Fun – Sometimes we get so caught up in caregiving and tutoring that we forget to have cut loose. Go to a fair. Roast marshmallows. Watch the sunset. Watch the sunrise. Stop and smell all those beautiful flowers blooming.