Summer conversations often center around preventing academic regression or deciding whether formal services should continue. While these decisions matter, summer can also provide opportunities that are difficult to create during the school year.

Without the pressure of schedules and deadlines, families may discover moments to strengthen communication, independence, emotional regulation, problem solving, and self-confidence through everyday experiences.

Children learn through participation. Helping plan a grocery list, preparing a simple meal, navigating a community outing, making choices, practicing flexibility, managing transitions, or developing routines can become meaningful opportunities for growth.

Parents sometimes tell me they worry they are not doing enough during summer months. I want to offer another perspective. Progress is not always measured by doing more. Sometimes progress comes from creating enough space for children to practice skills in real life and enough margin for families to reconnect.

Questions to Reflect On Before the Next School Year

Consider keeping notes throughout the summer.

Educational Progress
What supports helped my child succeed this year?
Which goals felt meaningful?
What accommodations made the greatest difference?

Communication
What strengthened collaboration between home and school?
What communication changes would support next year?

Well-Being
When did my child appear most regulated?
What routines helped reduce stress?

Independence
What skills could be practiced naturally this summer?
What would meaningful growth look like by August?

These reflections often make fall planning conversations more focused and productive.

Supporting Children with Disabilities During Summer Break

This month we are highlighting an article from Understood.org focused on supporting children with disabilities throughout summer months. What I appreciate about this resource is that it moves beyond the idea that summer must become another version of school at home.

The article discusses maintaining predictable routines while allowing flexibility, encouraging independence through daily experiences, supporting emotional well-being, and balancing rest with continued opportunities for growth. It reminds parents that meaningful learning does not only happen at a desk.

One of the strongest messages throughout the article is that parents do not have to recreate school. Instead, families can identify a few priorities and intentionally create opportunities to practice them through ordinary life.

Additional Resource

The Center for Parent Information and Resources continues to be one of my favorite places to direct families because of its practical, parent-friendly information. Families can find explanations of special education processes, transition planning, disability resources, and family supports.

There are exciting things happening behind the scenes.

This summer, we are preparing to relaunch the EPN Community.

The EPN Community is being designed as a welcoming space where parents can learn, connect, and understand alongside other families navigating disability and educational systems. Access to the community will be free because we believe information and connection should remain accessible.

At the same time, we are actively working to identify nonprofit partnerships that align with our mission. Our goal is to collaborate with organizations serving families so that Empowering Parents Network services and supports can reach their clientele at no cost to families whenever possible.

This next season of EPN is focused on expanding access, strengthening relationships, and creating thoughtful opportunities for families to feel supported and informed.

More updates will be shared soon.

What is one area of growth your child demonstrated this year that may not appear on a report card or progress report?

We would love to hear from you.

One of the most effective ways parents can engage in special education is by asking clear, informed questions. Instead of trying to understand everything at once, focus on a few key areas:

• What does this data tell us about my child’s needs?

• How will this support be implemented in the classroom?

• How will progress be measured and shared?

Asking focused questions helps shift conversations from overwhelming to productive and ensures that decisions remain centered on your child’s learning and growth.

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