Summer holiday tips

We all know how stressful the 6 week break can be.  Below are some ideas which may help everyone to cope a bit better.  Adapt them to suit your child, your family and your circumstances.

Staying at home?

Think structure

• Calendar for the week? Calendar of the whole holiday?
• Use visuals to allow choice of activity – Photographs? Pictures?  Words?
• Sort activities into groups – Free - choose whenever you like? Cheap – several per week?  Expensive – one per fortnight?
• Remove those activities which are chosen over and over again from the options when everyone else is sick of them!

Think visuals

• How long/how many times per day are electronic devices allowed in your house? How can you present this visually?
• Will mealtimes look different to usual?
• Google places you plan to visit – print pictures to take with you
• Visual timetable of days out
•  Visuals to enable siblings to take turns when choosing activities

There are various autism and SEN friendly summer holiday opportunities in Surrey

• Summer Play schemes: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/people-and-community/families/send-support/holiday-activities
• Linkable summer clubs: https://www.linkable.org.uk/pages/7-kids-teens
• APPEER Activities for girls: https://www.appeer.org.uk/7-12-years-old-girls
• List of ASD-friendly cubs in surrey by BRAAIN: https://www.braain.co.uk/help/clubs-and-groups

Going on your travels?

Preparation is your friend!

• Travel planner – visual timetable showing the order things will happen, don’t forget a whoops card for unexpected eventualities!
• Social stories – How do people usually behave on an aeroplane? Why I should wait in line at the buffet.
• Google maps – Can you spot our hotel? Where is the nearest beach/restaurant?
• Communicate with airport and airline staff about your family’s needs – they may be able to make alterations and give you special consideration. Visit https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/accessibility-and-mobility-help/hidden-disabilities or https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger-services/special-assistance/hidden-disabilities/

Packing up to come home

• Countdown calendar
• Can you fit your new inflatable in the suitcase?
• Is there a motivator/favourite activity waiting at home? Maybe take a photo of it away with you.

Getting ready for school again

• Countdown calendar - click here 
• Practice wearing the uniform again – allow time for breaking in new shoes.
• Look at photographs of staff, classroom etc.
• Preparation for changes – taxi, escort, route, fellow students