The Importance of Therapy in the Summer

As we approach the end of another school year, we are closer to the Summer time. Right around this time every year I am asked the same question: "Can we take a break from therapy for the Summer?". The answer is always a resounding "NO!". And why you may ask? Let me share with you the reasons that stopping therapy for the Summer should never be an option. 1. Regression: Regression is the loss of skills that one has already learned or mastered. When a child that has not met and consistently demonstrated the mastery of their goals, they are showing that there are still performance areas that are not up the the developmental age level as expected. Without the consistency and frequency of therapy, their skills that are not mastered will begin to regress. Once therapy is resumed the therapist will need to go back to working on skills that they had already started to make improvements on. This most always ends in frustration for the kiddo. 2. Inconsistency of Schedules: Many children thrive on consistency and predictability. When the Summer arrives they are already lacking a major portion of their routine. Taking therapy out of the picture as well will result in increased frustration and dysregulation. Children can have decreased ability to handle disappointment, have increased outbursts, and a harder time calming down once upset. Routines are very important. Therapy is part of their routine. That shouldn't change. 3. Therapy is not school: Therapy plan of cares are designed with the frequency and duration that the medical professional has deemed are required for your child to meet their goals. Consistency is key to this. It must happen weekly and at the correct frequency. Each child will progress at different rates towards their goals, which is why we have individualized treatment plans. On the flip side, each grade for school has a specific cirriculum for each grade that is set to be completed in 10 months. When the school year is over, the idea is that the goals that were set in the cirriculum have been achieved. They give them a break between the grades as their is a definitive break between goals. Therapy goals are developmentally driven and do not have an end until your child reaches their highest level of independence. 4. Resuming will be HARD: Because children thrive on routines, getting back into the routine of therapy and school come the start of a new school year will be HARD!! For all of you. Therapy is not something that you want to have your child resist coming to because there is so much change happening all at the same time. Hopefully this was helpful information! Work with your therapy provider to help work around vacations and camps so your child can benefit from all the things! Happy almost Summer and cheers to a fun summer of therapy!