Supporting Neurodivergent Children During Summertime:

Tips from Dr. Kayla Johari, OTD, OTR/L

Summer is filled with fun and exciting adventures, but for some kids these new experiences can be overwhelming. Here’s some tips to help you and your child make the most of these summer days:

Plan ahead: Talk about the plan before it happens. Watch short videos of rollercoasters or look at pictures online of the upcoming event. Set expectations ahead of time so kids know what to expect.

For children who get overwhelmed in large crowds: An early start and early end may be a better option for your family. If you are going to an all-day event like an amusement park, proactively plan to schedule in breaks throughout the day to allow time to decompress, eat, and hydrate before jumping back into the crowds.

Recognize the signs of dysregulation: If your child easily overheats or their cheeks flush quickly, their movements speed up or get “rough,” they stop responding to questions, cover their ears, seek extra pressure (crashing, leaning), show sudden irritability/tearfulness, or seem zoned out; those are cues to pause before a full meltdown hits. Head to a shaded or quiet spot, offer cool sips of ice water through a straw or a refreshing popsicle, use a wet cooling cloth on the back of the neck, and give regulating input (bear hugs, modeling deep breathes, or doing progressive muscle relaxation). A brief “reset” can preserve the rest of the day and allow you and your child to re-regulation before jumping back into the fun.