Here we are, already in May. Soon your kids will be home for the summer! It’s great to have more family time, but we also recognize that it adds to your responsibilities. Here are a few tips for managing summer vacation when you have kids with intellectual or developmental disabilities:
- Establish a Routine: Children often rely on routine to feel safe and comfortable. Establishing a daily schedule for your child can help them feel more secure during their summer vacation.
- Offer Sensory Support: If your child has sensory processing difficulties, offer them sensory support by providing a quiet space for them to retreat to if they become overwhelmed, or by providing fidget toys or noise-cancelling headphones.
- Keep Up with Therapy: If your child receives therapy, such as occupational therapy or speech therapy, keep it going so they don’t lose ground!
Finally, you might want to talk to me about BoundaryCare. BoundaryCare is a specially configured Apple Watch that monitors safety (falls, location) and health metrics (heart rate, oxygen levels, sleep quality, etc.). It even allows you to call your child directly on the watch. It’s a powerful caregiver support that provides an extra set of eyes on your child. You can learn more about it at www.boundarycare.com.
During the summer, BoundaryCare can offer an extra set of eyes, helping you manage your responsibilities while enhancing your child’s independence. As an assistive technology, the cost of BoundaryCare is typically covered by waivers.
If you’re interested, talk to your provider or your case manager.
