Summertime has so much potential. With more flexible schedules and a break from traditional classes, your student can focus on what matters most in their season of development. Autistic elementary age children and middle schoolers may benefit from additional focus on building or practicing social skills. High schoolers on the spectrum can make tremendous strides in areas of executive function and independence, both important areas of college readiness, without the additional demands of the school year. (If college readiness is a new concept for your family, learn more and create a custom action plan with our course for parents of autistic high school students, College 101).
While summer programs come in all shapes and sizes, I’d like to focus on programs that include an away-from-home component. In her article “Bunks are Good for Brains: The Neuroscience of Sleepaway Camp.” (American Camp Association. January 1, 2014), TP Bryson explains that “camps expose kids to challenging situations in controlled, supportive environment” and that “repeated practice at overcoming adversity in ‘emotional, novel, and challenging’ experiences strengthens the middle prefrontal cortex, which participates in emotional regulation and resilience.” Emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence are key components in building independence.
There is also research to show that neurodivergent youth who attend summer programs specifically designed for them and that last three weeks or longer received the social and emotional benefits of reduced social isolation and improved self-esteem (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Shaping Summertime Experiences: Opportunities to Promote Healthy Development and Well-Being for Children and Youth. Chapter 4: “How Do Summer Programs Influence Outcomes for Children and Youth?” Ed. R. Hutton and MJ Sepulveda (2019)). Youth with disabilities and their parents also reported that away-from-home experiences provided comfort derived from disability being “normal” in their social environment and not having to filter their behavior for the benefit of abled peers and freedom from bullying and stereotypes (DL Goodwin (2005). The Meaning of Summer Camp Experiences for Youths with Disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly).
The young adults and parents who participated in DL Goodwin’s study indicated that summer program attendance was important for the development of “self-reliance, including skills for independent living, away from parents and invisible support networks in their home communities.” This last point is critically important for building college readiness among autistic young adults.
The benefits of away-from-home summer programs are well established. But selecting the right program for your autistic student can be a challenge. I’m thrilled there are so many more focused programs to serve neurodivergent young adults and hope to help parents of autistic students wade through the details to find a great fit.
Goals
There is no perfect program. There are a lot of great programs with different focus areas. Before you look at specific options, sit down with your student to decide what the goals of participating in any program are right now.
Location
Geography matters. Do you want to be within driving distance from home? This might be especially important to consider if the program includes opportunities to visit your child over the summer. Or perhaps, if this is your child’s first experience away from home, they may need to know you aren’t too far away.
Program Focus and Structure
Would your child do better in a program specifically designed for neurodivergent youth? Are you looking for a program for your high school student that includes college-level coursework to get a feel for the academic rigor on campus? Or perhaps a program to help your student build out their high school resume with volunteer experience would be a good idea.
Length
Away-from-home summer programs can last anywhere from one week to the full summer. Again, depending on your student’s individual goals, a shorter program may provide helpful exposure while a longer program may offer a more comprehensive experience to mimic college life.
Cost
The prices of these programs vary widely based on their length and inclusions. Take an honest look at your family’s finances to decide how much you are willing to spend on this experience, knowing that college tuition is just around the corner. Be sure to include travel expenses, groceries, leisure spending, medications, and insurance in your estimate. And check with local organizations to see if scholarships are available.
The Role of a Summer Program in the Transition to College
If your autistic student is in high school, college readiness should be a part of your regular conversations alongside applications and majors. Don’t mistake being ready for college classes with being ready for college life. The transition from high school to college brings many changes – living arrangements, independence, meals, routines and more. Participation in away-from-home summer programs can play a role in building these skills for your high school students even during the summer after graduation. Over the years the number and type of programs available has increased. This is great news for families, but it may also mean that learning about programs, narrowing down the options, and deciding on a program while spots are still available can be a challenge.
This fall I am hosting an event to make your life a little easier! Our Autism Summer Program Expo is a live, virtual event that will showcase ten different away-from-home options appropriate for autistic high school students. You’ll have a chance to learn more about each program, ask questions from representatives and get a feel for ten programs in one evening. Reserve your spot here! Hope to see you there.
Beth Felsen, Founder and Lead Coach of Spectrum Transition Coaching LLC, is also a fellow parent.
