{"id":120149,"date":"2025-03-06T08:25:30","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T14:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=120149"},"modified":"2025-04-17T09:11:20","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T14:11:20","slug":"spring-break-tips-for-mmi-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/03\/06\/spring-break-tips-for-mmi-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring break tips for MMI families"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"panel body-content\"><div class=\"panel__container\">\n<p>Spring break is a time for students and teachers to relax and recharge. There are many benefits to this much-anticipated vacation, including opportunities to enjoy time and make special memories with friends and family.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Spring break also is a time when students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families face many stressors, such as breaks in routine, impact on progress and limited access to resources and supports.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether creating new traditions or taking a break from daily expectations, our hope is for each and every family to relax and recharge while minimizing stressors.\u202fHere are some tips for planning a successful spring break that maximizes fun and ensures a smooth, stress-free experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Plan ahead&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Find where routine can fit into your day-to-day.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a schedule (pictures, icons, or a written itinerary) to outline each day.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Give your child and family time to adjust to changes by discussing plans beforehand, if appropriate, and starting new routines when feasible.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use timers or countdowns to prepare for transitions between activities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer choices where possible (e.g., &#8220;Would you like to go to the park or the library?&#8221;).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Maintain a balance between fun and rest<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Overscheduling can lead to meltdowns and stress.&nbsp; Build in quiet breaks and find the right balance between structure and relaxation for your family.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a designated &#8220;calm zone&#8221; at home or in public spaces for when your child needs downtime.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose activities that are sensitive to your child&#8217;s preferences and comfort levels, whether that\u2019s physical activity or quiet downtime.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Choose destinations welcoming of neurodiversity<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consider activities that match your child\u2019s sensory preferences:&nbsp;<strong>Low-sensory activities<\/strong>, such as nature walks, puzzles, sensory bins or swimming; and <strong>high-energy activities, <\/strong>such as trampoline parks (with sensory hours), hiking or biking.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bring noise-canceling headphones or sensory toys if visiting loud places.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a \u201cSensory Pack\u201d and include favorite snacks, fidgets, weighted blankets, and any comfort items.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If traveling, bring familiar items to make new environments feel safe.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for sensory-friendly attractions like: zoos and aquariums with quiet zones, museums with special sensory hours; and <a href=\"https:\/\/autismaction.org\/events?rq=calendar\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"activities or events, opens in a new window\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">activities or events<\/a> that offer sensory and behavioral accommodations.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Flexibility<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a backup plan in case of bad weather or sensory overload.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use social stories, video models, or role-playing to help your child prepare for new experiences.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Keep schedules consistent<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sudden changes in routine can be stressful. Try to keep mealtimes and bedtimes close to normal, particularly as return to \u201creturn to school\u201d routines approach.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many thrive on routine, so plan activities in advance.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a visual calendar or countdown:&nbsp;Show your child how many days are left until the break ends, to help prepare for the transition back to school.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Team up with others<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Work with other families to create resources or find resources in the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As a time for reset and recharge approaches, focus on the positive aspects of the break.&nbsp;Celebrate moments of success throughout each&nbsp;day, whether it&#8217;s your child managing a transition well or family members enjoying quiet time together. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Thank you to Alex Cicero, Becky Barall, Tamara Hariri, Kim Falk, Jackie Hankins, Todd Owen,&nbsp;Rachel Ray, Andrew Sodawasser and Melonie Welsh for their insightful thoughts and comments, helping to shape these recommendations. &nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"\/secure-location.php\" title=\"Yk  r EQ\">Yk  r EQ<\/a> --><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring break is a time to relax. Here are some tips on making it more relaxing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":68540,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"51813,55730,95294,57448,67454,59854","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"Yoast SEO Relevanssi index exclude","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","author_override-amanda-zangrillo-psyd-director-mmi-department-of-severe-behavior"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Spring break tips for MMI families<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spring break is a time to relax. 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