I'm A Psychologist – This Is Why Summer Can Be So Hard On Neurodiverse Kids
You might notice more meltdowns and dysregulation – and it's not just your child who will be struggling.
It's thought one in 100 children in the UK have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, while 5% of UK children are thought to have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Dr Selina Warlow, a clinical psychologist and founder of The Nook Clinic, explained that neurodiverse children struggle with the summer holidays because they 'often rely on routine to feel secure'.
'Unstructured days can be disorienting because they remove the predictability that helps them stay calm and in control,' she told HuffPost UK.
'When there's no clear plan, the uncertainty can quickly lead to anxiety or dysregulation. Transitions become harder, focus drops, and behaviour can spiral.'
On top of the sudden shift in routine, there is another huge influence impacting children and their parents during this time: a lack of specialist childcare for SEN (special educational needs) children.
A survey from Mencap previously revealed 80% of parents who have children with a learning disability struggle to access support services during the summer holidays.
And in 2023, the childcare charity Coram said just one in 20 councils in England had enough childcare available for SEND children during the school holidays.
What can parents do to help neurodiverse kids cope over the summer holidays?
The biggest takeaway for parents is to stick to a routine, where possible.
Dr Warlow explained: 'Feeling anchored is one of the most important coping strategies for them. Simple routines can offer enough structure to help them feel settled, calm, and safe.
'As the summer holidays will change the routine they're used to, setting up a structured day with regular mealtimes, bedtime and short activity blocks are essential.'
Autistic children can find surprises 'unsettling and disruptive', according to The Autism Service, while children with ADHD might need more stimulation and can become very restless without planned activities in place.
To help them adjust, as well as feel involved and engaged in their new routine, Dr Warlow recommends using visual planners, sand timers and picture schedules.
Planning social activities with other children, limiting screen time, and scheduling quiet time might also help to keep meltdowns to a minimum.
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