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Key points
- Many parents are concerned about summer academic regression.
- Parents can search for summer programs well-matched with their child's special needs.
- Parents should consider their parental home goals for the summer.
School is out. Hooray! It is almost summer and many parents across the world are planning vacations and enjoying time away from taking children to school, picking them up from school, and helping with homework. It is the perfect time to celebrate another completed school year for you and your children. For some parents, however, this can mean no special education services during summer break. Some may feel overwhelmed by the temporary loss of services provided by the special education teachers from their child's individualized education plan (IEP) goals. This includes time away from academics and learning, and children being without their special education teacher(s), teaching assistant(s), and peers. Consequently, you may have a few worries:
- What camps or activities accommodate children with special needs?
- What if I cannot find a camp or program?
- How do I organize an entire summer with no special education support?
- Will my child regress academically over the summer?
Activities and Services for Children With Disabilities
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance: Summer break can make you consider how to provide appropriate educational services and activities to your children with special needs over the break. There are many programs and services offered to children throughout the summer in most states, and they may be able to modify them to meet the unique needs of your child. The ADA requires "entities" such as summer camps to provide accommodations to children with disabilities that want to enroll and participate in their camp. While it can be difficult to find summer camps for children with disabilities, you must also ensure that they are ADA-compliant, (i.e., able to follow treatment plans, provide devices, or have accessible water fountains). To learn more about ADA compliance, visit ada.gov.
Title III, ADA: If you encounter a situation with a camp or program that may not provide accommodations for special needs children, review Title III in the ADA. There, you can determine whether or not the camp, by "definition," should provide them. If so, they must remove barriers to ensure that your child with special needs can participate in their camp programs and activities. Here is a link to read more about Title III of the ADA.
Parent Questions: Another option is to directly ask the camp if they will enroll your special needs child. The program staff may not be trained to work with special needs children; however, they cannot discriminate against your child either. Keep in mind, providing reasonable accommodations does not mean that camps will change the nature of their program or services to the point of causing an "undue burden," or significant difficulty or expense if carried out. Review information from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for more information.
No Summer Camp, No Problem
Given all of the things that need to be considered to prepare for summer break for children with disabilities, (i.e., camp and other activities), it is easy to understand why summer break can cause a significant amount of distress for you. You may ask this question:
- What can I do to continue my child's progress throughout the summer if I cannot find a summer camp?
Extended school year (ESY): Summer camp may not be your solution; however, if your child has an IEP you may want to work with your special education team to see if your child is eligible for the extended school year (ESY) program. ESY is a program provided to students with disabilities who require additional instructional time and support beyond the regular school year to prevent significant regression in their skills. The purpose of an ESY program is to ensure that students with special needs have continued access to educational services during extended breaks, to maintain their progress and meet their IEP goals. Some questions that parents often ask about ESY programs include:
- Can the IEP team preclude my child from the ESY program?
- Not in all cases. Keep in mind that this is a special education team decision based on your child's data and progress. Also, federal and state regulations require school districts to have ESY services available.
- What data will the team use to determine if my child can enroll in the ESY program?
- Academic progress
- The special education team will review academic progress with you to decide whether or your child will regress over the summer.
- Goals
- The special education team will ensure that the ESY program aligns with your child's goals and objectives outlined in their IEP.
- Academic progress
- What can I do to help in this process?
- Understand the program structure, (i.e. academics, specific skills and therapies, duration of time, and academics).
- Review regular updates and feedback from special education teachers to assist you with understanding your child's progress, areas of improvement, and any changes to their educational plan.
- Balance your child's structured learning with recreational activities and family time. Children need a break too; this is the summer, provide them with that opportunity.
- ESY programs can be a helpful bridge if your child is transitioning to a new school. This allows them to become familiar with the new environment.
Organizing the Summer
Parental home goals (PHG) is a phrase that I coined to describe how parents can create summer goals for their children with disabilities. Enrolling your child in summer camp may not be an option; however, you can still continue to increase your child's daily living skills. Here are some suggestions to help you support their learning and development at home:
- Establish a routine: Balance learning activities, physical exercise, free play, and relaxation time.
- Identify learning goals: Identify specific skills or areas where your child could benefit from improvement, such as reading.
- Engage in sensory activities: Consider activities such as swimming, visiting sensory gardens or playgrounds, or exploring nature trails.
- Foster life skills: Use the summer break to teach and reinforce practical life skills such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, or money management.
- Family outings and vacations: Plan family outings and vacations that are inclusive and suitable for your child.
Conclusion
Balance structured activities and free time for your child to relax, play, and enjoy their summer break. They need to have fun. Consult with your child's educators or therapists for personalized recommendations that can be developed to correspond with their specific needs. By using their suggestions along with giving your child a supportive and stimulating environment, your child will continue to learn and grow over the summer. Happy summer!
