How to Support Neurodivergent Kids Over Summer: Executive Function Tips by Grade Level
The school year ends but the support often stops too soon.
For many neurodivergent students, summer isn't relaxing. It's destabilizing. Without the scaffolds of routine, classroom expectations, or embedded support services, many students begin to unravel.
As a parent, you feel it first. You watch their frustration grow. You second-guess whether you're doing enough. You carry it all.
And you're not imagining it:
Students with IEPs and 504 plans are significantly more likely to experience regression during the summer months (NCLD) in academics, regulation, and daily living.
That’s why I created Summer Smarts, a free two-page PDF for families and therapists who want a practical, compassionate plan for summer success.
🧩 Download link below.
✨ Who I Am
I’m Stacey, attorney, IEP advocate, executive function coach, and founder of Beacon Pathways.
I’ve been working with neurodivergent students for over 20 years and I’m a parent to three of them.
This guide blends my professional and personal experience. It’s built for real families navigating real summers.
📉 Why Summer Feels So Disruptive
Loss of structure means time loses shape.
Regression is common especially in reading, writing, and math (Cooper et al.).
Extended School Year (ESY) services are limited. Most parents are left to fill the gap themselves.
“My son went from thriving to melting down over simple tasks.” Parent, Beacon Pathways
🔐 The 3 Most Common Pitfalls
Loss of Routine
Transition Anxiety
Parent Burnout
✅ 3 Tools That Actually Help
🗓 Weekly Rhythm Chart
⏰ Micro Goals (one EF skill at a time)
🎯 Visual Planning Systems (whiteboards, sticky notes, time maps)
🪩 Quick Wins (Try These Today)
Use a visual timer during transitions
Create a morning anchor (walk, stretch, music)
Ask: “What will tomorrow feel like?” to build planning muscles
🌍 Transition Tips by Grade Level
Middle School
Locker practice, color-coded folders, mock class-switching
💡 Tip: Predictability over perfection
High School
Time-tracking, 2-minute rule, email a teacher
💡 Tip: Scaffold, then step back
College
Test planners, review life skills, normalize therapy
💡 Tip: Asking for help = independence
📅 Mini Case Study
“Two weeks of coaching changed our fall. My daughter learned how to plan, prioritize, and advocate. For the first time, she felt in control.”
Beacon Pathways Parent of rising 9th grader
“It helped that someone wasn’t trying to fix me. Just someone helping me do school my way.”
10th grader, EF coaching student
📂 Grab Your Free PDF: Summer Smarts
Top 3 pitfalls
3 proven tools
Grade-specific transition tips
💬 Frequently Asked
What’s EF coaching?
It’s not tutoring. It’s skill-building: planning, organization, time management, self-advocacy.
Do we need an IEP to work with you?
Nope. Many of our families don’t have formal plans—just challenges they’re ready to get help with.
What if my kid resists structure?
We start where they are. This is relationship-driven work, not just strategy.
✨ Want Summer Support?
I offer:
📧 iepspeakup@gmail.com
🌐 yourlearningadvocate.com
📞 Facebook
📬 Sign up for my newsletter to get our Back-to-School Executive Function Checklist in August!
🔗 Additional Resources
Understood.org: Executive Function
Smart but Scattered (Dawson & Guare)
Apps: The Homework App, My Study Life, Notion
