When summer approaches, many parents of children with autism brace for a potential regression in skills. But what if we flipped that narrative? Instead of focusing solely on preventing the so-called “summer slide,” summer can be a prime season for breakthrough progress through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
Rethinking Summer for Children with Autism
While traditional education systems focus on mitigating loss during school breaks, summer can actually offer children with autism new and enriching environments that fast-track learning. Think of it not as a lull in progress, but a strategic pause where new opportunities flourish.
Benefits of Summer ABA
1. More Time for Intensive Sessions
During the school year, therapy often has to work around academic schedules. In summer, those constraints loosen. That means more frequent and longer ABA sessions are possible, allowing for accelerated skill acquisition and stronger behavior reinforcement. Research consistently shows that intensity and duration matter. It was found that children receiving over 20 hours of ABA therapy weekly see better outcomes in communication and adaptive behavior.
2. New Environments = More Generalization Opportunities
ABA isn’t just about learning a skill—it’s about using that skill across settings. Generalization, a cornerstone of effective ABA, often requires practice in a variety of contexts. Summer offers exactly that. With outings to parks, beaches, libraries, and stores, therapists can help children apply previously learned behaviors in new, meaningful ways.
Target Areas That Benefit Most in Summer
1. Social Interaction in Camps or Public Spaces
Summer camps or community programs, even if not autism-specific, provide naturalistic settings for social growth. Practicing greetings, turn-taking, or group play skills with peers under the guidance of an ABA therapist can build confidence and real-world competence.
2. Community Participation and Safety Skills
Grocery shopping, crossing streets, or navigating a pool area are all rich with teachable moments. With the therapist present, children can learn critical safety behaviors like holding hands in parking lots or responding to “stop” cues, all embedded within their daily lives.
3. Self-Regulation in Unstructured Environments
Unstructured time can be tough for children with autism. But it’s also a great opportunity. Without rigid classroom routines, ABA therapists can help children build tolerance to waiting, manage transitions, and self-soothe, which are skills that are often harder to address during the school year.
Therapist Flexibility and Creative Opportunities
1. Collaborating Around Family Life
ABA teams often have more scheduling flexibility in the summer, making it easier to fit sessions around family outings or vacations.
2. Integrating Goals into Everyday Life
Whether it’s asking for a snack at the beach or practicing water safety at the pool, therapists can incorporate ABA goals into natural family activities. This form of incidental teaching is not only effective. It’s engaging and fun.
Final Thoughts: Summer as an Accelerator
Rather than viewing summer ABA as a placeholder until school resumes, consider it a springboard. It’s a time to reinforce previously learned skills, target new goals, and give children a platform to thrive outside the classroom. With the right planning and partnership with your ABA team, this summer could be your child’s most meaningful season yet.
Make the best out of this summer by visiting acclaimautism.com today!
For further reading on this topic, check out the following sources:
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2014). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, August 16). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25197-applied-behavior-analysis
Gitimoghaddam, M., Chichkine, N., McArthur, L., Sangha, S. S., & Symington, V. (2022). Applied Behavior Analysis in Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 45, 521–557.
Yu, Q., Li, E., Li, L., & Liang, W. (2020). Efficacy of Interventions Based on Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(5), 432–443.
Acclaim Autism. (n.d.). The Importance of Consistent ABA Services. https://acclaimautism.com/importance-of-routine-in-aba-services-all-year-including-summer/
Acclaim Autism. (n.d.). What Is ABA Therapy? https://acclaimautism.com/what-is-aba-therapy/
