A Practical Guide to Building a Summer Therapy Schedule
Summer is supposed to be fun. It is also, for many families with children in therapy, one of the most stressful scheduling seasons of the year. School-based services pause, clinic availability fills up fast, and parents are left trying to piece together a summer plan that keeps their child progressing without turning July into an extension of the school year. Here is a practical guide to building a summer therapy schedule that works for your whole family.
START PLANNING EARLY
The biggest mistake families often make is waiting too long. Come summer, many practices are already booked solid for appointments. Clinicians go on vacations, school-based therapists move to clinic settings and fill spots as needed, and other families with the same intentions have already reached out. By contacting practices early, you give your family the best chance to secure the days, times, and continuity with your clinician that you desire.
DETERMINING THE IDEAL SUMMER THERAPY FREQUENCY
The appropriate frequency for summer therapy sessions depend on your child’s current goals, their risk of regression, and your family’s summer activities. Here’s a general guideline:
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Stable Skill Set: Children nearing their goals with a solid skill set may thrive with a reduced schedule of once a week.
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Developmental Needs: Those with autism, significant developmental delays, or who are early in their therapy journey often benefit from maintaining or even increasing their school-year frequency.
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School Services: Children receiving most of their services through their school district should seriously consider private summer therapy to fill any gaps.
It’s crucial to consult with your child’s therapist for tailored recommendations, as they have the best understanding of your child’s needs.
BLENDING THERAPY INTO SUMMER ACTIVITIES
One of the advantages of summer is that the world becomes your therapy room. Our therapists help families build skill practice into the activities your child is already doing — swimming, cooking, camping, reading, playing at the park. Your child’s SLP might suggest specific books to read aloud and questions to ask. Your OT might recommend sensory-rich outdoor activities. Your BCBA might help you set up structured play scenarios at the pool. Summer is not the enemy of therapy progress — an unplanned summer is.
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR THERAPIST BEFORE SCHOOL ENDS
Before your child’s school year ends, schedule a brief check-in with each of your child’s therapists. Ask what goals they expect to carry into summer, what skills are most vulnerable to regression, what a home program should include, and whether there are specific summer activities they recommend or caution against. Leave that meeting with a written home program and a clear plan. This fifteen-minute conversation can save months of regression recovery.
Let Us Help!
Our clinics across Texas, North Carolina, Washington State, and Washington DC are now scheduling summer therapy appointments. Summer slots fill quickly — contact us today to best accommodate your family’s summer schedule!
