VICTORIA SAFDIEH
WHILE WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THE WARM, SUNNY WEATHER AND TO WELCOME THE CHANCE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH OUR FAMILIES, THIS TIME OF YEAR, CAN BE ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
They tend to greet school breaks with a mixture of feelings because the changes in routine can be very challenging. Many children with special needs thrive on having a routine and a set schedule. While it’s great to have a break from routine for a while and take some time to rest and decompress from the strain and heavy toll that school and therapy can have on them, being out of school and changing up the daily routine can be very disorienting and scary.
In an effort to create a sense of normalcy and routine as much as possible, and to help prevent sensory overload and confusion, it can help to plan a structured but a flexible routine. Surprises and fear of the unknown can trigger anxiety and stress for a child with special needs. The aim is to ensure your kids know what to expect each day, without restricting your families’ activities. You may be tempted to fill your days with activities in order to keep the boredom at bay but don’t forget these breaks can be stressful for everyone and you need to plan for some downtime each day to rest and recharge.
Here are a few suggestions of how to make this break as stress free as possible.
Make a schedule for each day on a calendar ahead of time. Sometimes certain activities are weather permitting, so create a few rainy day activities on the side in case they need to be substituted. A suggestion: not to overload the child’s senses and to minimize the stress and strain is to do half day excursions, it has been a proven successful strategy especially when going to theme parks, or local parks. After a busy and sensory stimulating morning, you can go back home for everyone to rest and relax.
Plan ahead before going out. You may want to have a prepackaged bag that is ready to go, with a change of clothes, chucks, diapers, some of your child’s favorite toys, and electronics, snacks, and books in the event that he/she becomes stressed or bored and wants something of comfort or leisure. You also may want to dress your child in bright colored clothing when you go out so that you can keep your eyes on him/her at all times. If you are planning a trip to the beach or a pool, think about what your child’s needs are for safe water play. In addition to close supervision, they may require swim diapers, adaptive flotation devices or swimsuits. Children with sensory disorders can have a tough time regulating their body temperature. They may need extra help keeping cool and remembering to drink fluids. They may also struggle with applying sunscreen. Try and get the spray-based sunscreen and roll on sunscreen can be helpful for the challenging places like the face and the back of the neck.
Be sure to include playtime in your schedule. All kids need to burn off energy, but for a child with special needs being active can be self-regulating. Give the kids time to go out and play in the yard or jump on a trampoline or mini trampoline. Sometimes buying an exercise ball to bounce or roll on can be entertaining and soothing.
Take a stroll. Taking a walk can be a nice activity, while your child gets some fresh air. It is less stimulating than other activities.
Quiet time in the afternoon is a priority to regulate the senses. Fill in the schedule with some quiet activities that can also be enjoyed as a family on days when you need to stay indoors, like coloring, reading a book, puzzles, listening to music, playing with Legos or magna-tiles. Let them watch a show or movie or play on electronics. Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend giving your child with special needs unlimited access to electronics. Doing so seems to ramp up behavioral issues. Try to limit electronic times to about an hour or so a day, usually at half hour intervals. However you plan this time, a bit of downtime is always needed and much appreciated.
Try to find some time for yourself. This might seem impossible! Even if you don’t think this can be done, you are bound to be able to snatch some time from somewhere. We are not talking about a whole morning of pampering (although that would be nice), we were talking about a half hour break while the kids are occupied with their device or while they are resting. It could even be an extra five minutes you soak up in the shower before facing the day. However you find it, utilize the opportunity and enjoy some time to yourself. Instead of recognizing how little time you have to yourself, look at the time you do have and be mentally ready to take full advantage of it.
Stay positive! Positivity is a powerful thing. Approaching this time with a positive outlook rather than a negative one will more often than not yield a positive outcome. Everyone picks up and feels the negative vibes from mom and dad and then the mood shifts, and everything falls apart. I know it sounds easier than it is, but if you are committed to being positive and you plan and prepare things in advance it will be a positive experience.
You are prepared, you have a schedule in place, you know your kids best and what will push their buttons or make them happy. Remember this short break requires patience and love. You can do this!
Victoria Safdieh is the founder of CARE and mom to children with special needs.
