Your Guide to ABA Therapy Terminology
June 18, 2025
Learn common ABA therapy terms with this A-Z guide to understand your child’s care.
Summer break brings sunshine, free time, and a big shift in routine. For many children with autism, that shift can feel overwhelming. Without the structure of school or therapy schedules, the days can quickly become unpredictable, making it harder for children to regulate behavior, emotions, and sensory input.
At Surpass Behavioral Health, we believe that every season offers opportunities for growth, and we’re here to help you make the most of it. With a little planning, you can create a summer filled with fun, skill-building, and consistency that supports your child’s unique needs. In this blog, we’ll share autism-friendly summer activities that are both engaging and structured, designed to reinforce the progress your child is making through ABA therapy.
For children with autism, routine isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Predictable schedules and consistent expectations provide a sense of safety that supports emotional regulation and learning. When summer break removes the structure of the school day, it can lead to increased anxiety, behavioral challenges, or regression in skills. That’s why maintaining some type of daily routine is so important during the summer months. Incorporating elements of your child’s ABA therapy, such as visual schedules, planned transitions, and positive reinforcement, can help bridge the gap between therapy sessions and everyday life.
Sensory-friendly activities are a great way to help children with autism stay engaged and regulated during the summer. These activities provide soothing input, encourage creativity, and can be easily adapted to your child’s preferences. Try making homemade playdough together. It offers a calming, hands-on experience that also supports fine motor skills. Painting rocks or using sidewalk chalk adds a colorful, tactile element to outdoor play while encouraging self-expression. And for quieter moments, reading a favorite book in a cozy corner can offer a comforting break from the busyness of the day. These kinds of sensory-rich experiences support both fun and skill-building in a relaxed, low-pressure way.
Getting outside during the summer can be a wonderful way for children with autism to explore new environments and practice skills they have been developing with ABA therapy. Structured outdoor activities like therapeutic horseback riding programs or adaptive swimming lessons offer sensory input, movement, and social engagement in a safe, supportive setting. Visiting accessible playgrounds with visual supports or quiet spaces can also help make outings more enjoyable for both children and parents. Many communities even offer sensory-friendly events or outdoor activities tailored to neurodiverse families. Look for options near you through local autism organizations or parks and recreation departments.
Structured play is a powerful way to keep children with autism learning and progressing during the summer. Simple activities like building blocks, doing puzzles, or playing turn-taking games can reinforce important skills like communication, patience, and problem-solving. Involving siblings in these activities adds a valuable layer of social interaction and connection. Sibling play, when guided with clear expectations and support, helps foster teamwork, empathy, and shared fun. You can also build learning into everyday family moments, like setting the table together or following a recipe with visual instructions. Skill-building happens in all kinds of environments, not just therapy sessions, and structured play at home is a great way to keep progress going.
Summer can be a season of growth, discovery, and connection, especially when you have the right support. With a mix of structure, creativity, and intentional play, you can help your child continue building skills while enjoying the excitement of summer break. Whether it’s sensory-friendly crafts at home or community outings with a plan, every small moment contributes to meaningful progress. At Surpass Behavioral Health, we’re here to help your child thrive year-round. Our ABA therapy programs are personalized, compassionate, and designed to meet your family’s unique needs. If you’re looking for expert support this summer and beyond, we invite you to connect with our team and take the next step in your child’s journey.
Learn common ABA therapy terms with this A-Z guide to understand your child’s care.
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