Summer Is Coming: Is Your Family Ready? A Guide for ABA Families
Planning ahead can make all the difference for a smooth, successful summer.
The school year is winding down, and for many families navigating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, that transition can feel overwhelming. Routines shift, schedules change, and the structure that helps your child thrive can suddenly disappear.
The good news? With some early planning, summer can become a season of growth, fun, and continued progress—not a setback.
Here’s everything you need to know to help set your family up for a successful summer.
1. Talk to Your ABA Team Now (Seriously—Now)
The earlier you connect with your BCBA and therapy team, the better. Summer schedules fill up quickly, and service hours often need to be adjusted around camps, vacations, and ESY programs.
Questions to Ask Your ABA Provider Before Summer:
Will our current hours change during the summer?
Can we adjust session times to accommodate camps or ESY?
What goals should we prioritize over the summer months?
Are there home programming strategies we can use on non-therapy days?
Your BCBA can also help you create a summer transition plan—a roadmap that keeps your child’s progress moving forward even when routines change.
2. Understand Extended School Year (ESY) Services
If your child receives special education services, they may qualify for Extended School Year (ESY) services. ESY provides free, publicly funded support during summer break to help prevent significant regression in skills.
Who Qualifies for ESY?
Eligibility is determined individually through the IEP process and is based on whether a child is likely to experience substantial regression during school breaks.
How to Find Out if Your Child Qualifies:
Review your child’s most recent IEP (ESY should be discussed annually)
Request an IEP meeting if ESY was not addressed
Bring ABA data and documentation to support the discussion
What ESY Typically Looks Like:
Shortened school days or weeks
A focus on maintaining critical skills
Support services such as speech, OT, PT, academics, or behavioral goals
Tip: Don’t wait for the school district to bring it up. You have the right to request an ESY evaluation at any time.
3. Explore Summer Camps That Fit Your Child’s Needs
Summer camp can be a wonderful opportunity for growth, socialization, and independence—but finding the right fit matters.
Types of Camps to Consider:
Inclusive Camps
Mainstream camps with accommodations or support staff that help children generalize skills in less structured environments.
Therapeutic Camps
Programs specifically designed for children with autism or developmental differences, often staffed by BCBAs, RBTs, SLPs, and other specialists.
Day Camps vs. Overnight Camps
Many families begin with day camps before exploring overnight options for older children or teens.
Questions to Ask Any Camp:
What is your staff-to-camper ratio?
Do you have staff trained in autism support or ABA?
How do you handle behavioral challenges?
Can I share my child’s behavior support plan?
Is a trial visit possible before camp begins?
Connecting Your ABA Team with the Camp
With your permission, your BCBA can collaborate with camp staff and provide communication strategies or behavior supports to help create a smoother experience for your child.
4. Build a Summer Schedule (Structure Is Your Friend)
One of the biggest summer challenges is the loss of predictability. Many children with autism thrive on routine, and sudden changes can increase stress or behavioral challenges.
Ways to Create Structure:
Use a visual schedule with pictures or a whiteboard
Maintain consistent wake-up and bedtime routines
Schedule predictable leisure activities
Use timers, countdowns, or visual cues for transitions
Your ABA team can help create visual supports and routines tailored to your child’s needs.
5. Use Summer to Build Functional Life Skills
Summer offers wonderful opportunities to practice real-world skills that are harder to target during the school year.
Functional Skills to Practice:
Ordering food at restaurants or ice cream shops
Navigating playgrounds, pools, or splash pads
Playing with peers in community settings
Tolerating sunscreen, swimwear, or outdoor sensory experiences
Managing money during shopping trips
Building personal hygiene independence
Talk with your BCBA about incorporating community-based goals or home-based functional skill programming into your summer plans.
6. Take Care of Yourself, Too
Summer caregiving—without the built-in structure of school—can be exhausting. Supporting yourself matters too.
Helpful Supports:
Explore respite care options through Medicaid waivers or community programs
Join local parent support groups
Give yourself permission to have slower, easier days
Celebrate small wins and moments of connection
Summer Checklist for ABA Families
✔ Meet with your BCBA about summer scheduling
✔ Review your child’s IEP for ESY eligibility
✔ Request an IEP meeting if needed
✔ Research camps and ask detailed questions
✔ Build a visual summer schedule
✔ Identify 2–3 functional life skills to target
✔ Plan for caregiver support and respite
We’re Here to Help
Transitions feel more manageable when you have the right support team behind you. Whether you need help navigating ESY services, adjusting summer therapy schedules, or finding resources for camps and activities, IOA is here for your family all summer long.
Have questions? Contact our team to schedule a parent consultation before summer begins.
This post is intended for informational purposes only. Every child’s needs are unique, so always work directly with your child’s clinical team for individualized recommendations.