Yay, enough with the cold weather, spring is here! If you have a young child with a disability, you likely have a week off for spring break. This is great, but we know it can also bring challenges. Losing a week of school takes your child out of their routine and removes their access to school therapists, causing the break to feel like a real setback. Here are some ways you can move forward instead:
- Plan ahead
Okay, we say it all the time but truly, let’s make a plan for that spring break! Schedules, routines, planned activities, and planned downtime can go a long way.
- Fill that Easter basket with extra resources!
Do you have extra batteries handy? Are the devices charged up? Do you have backups such as dry-erase boards or other activities, just in case you need to switch things up?
- Play safely outside
It’s been a nasty winter, but it’s time to get outside. Before you go, remember to take time to refresh everyone on the rules outside. We need to wear our safety gear on bikes and scooters, stay within supervised areas if we tend to wander off, and be prepared against the insects and animals that are also excited to be outside. Preparation is key!
If your loved one is an adult, spring break can cause challenges as well. When the weather changes, this can cause allergies, which may impact the individual’s overall well-being and ability to handle day-to-day activities. Spring break can also mean that there is more traffic and more crowds.
As always:
- plan ahead, prepare, and be flexible
- consider whether you need to have allergy meds, tissues, or other comforts on hand
- you may want to avoid crowds by going to a designated place earlier or later or considering what resources you may need when in a crowd such as headphones or limiting your time there.