Summer Break Without the Breakdown: Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child

As the school year winds down, many families across Southern California find themselves facing the same question: How do we keep structure, joy, and sanity during summer break—especially for our neurodivergent children?

At Love 2 Learn, we’ve supported thousands of families in Huntington Beach and surrounding communities through this seasonal shift. We understand how important it is to find a summer rhythm that meets your child where they are—with compassion, flexibility, and care.

Here are some simple, powerful ways to make your summer more peaceful, playful, and connected:

Most humans thrive with some degree of structure—it helps us feel safe, grounded, and ready to take on the day. For neurodivergent children, that need is often more pronounced, and changes in routine—like the end of the school year—can be especially dysregulating.

But that doesn’t mean summer needs to be rigid or over-scheduled.

Keep it doable:

• Draw your schedule on a whiteboard or print a simple chart.

• Choose 3 must-do activities, and leave space for spontaneous fun.

• Add a “choice time” block so your child feels ownership of their day.

Even 2–3 predictable moments each day can create a sense of rhythm and reduce stress for the whole family.

Summer doesn’t have to mean overstimulation. There are so many beautiful ways to make memories that are also gentle on your child’s nervous system.

Local ideas we love:

• Early morning beach visits before the crowds arrive

• Picnic dinners at spaces like Huntington Central Park or Mile Square Park

• Sensory play bins in the backyard (think water beads, bubbles, or kinetic sand)

• Visiting the library for calm story times and quiet exploration

Remember, your child gets to define fun. And it’s more than okay to set boundaries, bring supports, or say no to outings that feel too much.

Summer camps and classes can be wonderful—but they’re not always the right fit for every child. Especially for those with sensitive nervous systems, more isn’t always better.

Instead of trying to fill every minute, consider this approach:

Connection and co-regulation come first.

Simple ways to regulate together:

• Use music as medicine
  Build a calming playlist together with instrumental or favorite songs. Let music be a regulation tool during transitions, car rides, or wind-down time.

• Try “movement breaks” together
  Jump on a trampoline, do 10 slow squats, or walk barefoot on grass. Rhythmic movement can help reset the nervous system—especially after sensory overload.

• Offer cool-down kits
  Fill a small bin with sensory tools your child loves—play dough, a lavender roller, a visual timer, or textured objects.

• Co-create a “regulation menu”
  Make a visual chart of your child’s favorite calming activities and let them choose when they’re upset. This builds emotional literacy and autonomy.

When your child feels safe in their body, they can show up more fully in the world.

Let’s be honest—summer can feel long. Especially for caregivers balancing work, therapy schedules, sibling needs, and the emotional load of parenting a neurodivergent child. Without the structure of the school day, the pressure can build fast.

And in the rush to meet everyone else’s needs, it’s easy to put your own care on pause.

But here’s the truth: you matter, too.
Your nervous system, your well-being, and your capacity to feel grounded are all essential parts of your child’s success. You can’t pour from an empty cup—and you shouldn’t have to.

Here are a few ways to support yourself this season:

• Build in micro-moments of restoration: A five-minute reset matters. Step outside. Put your hand on your heart. Drink water slowly. Listen to one favorite song. These moments signal safety to your own body.

• Say yes to help—without guilt: Whether it’s a neighbor, a partner, or a teen offering to play with your child, receiving support is a strength, not a shortcoming.

• Connect with others who understand: Isolation can make challenges feel heavier. Reach out to a parent group, a trusted therapist, or another family walking a similar path.

• Honor what’s hard—and what’s beautiful: It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and grateful. Tired and proud. Your emotions are not in conflict—they’re human.

If you need support, you don’t have to wait for things to get hard. Our trauma-informed clinicians at Love 2 Learn are here to walk beside you with care, insight, and practical tools. Whether you’re looking for parent coaching, emotional regulation strategies, or just a safe space to exhale—we’re here.

Because you’re not alone in this, and you don’t have to carry it all by yourself.