Summer break — for parents, the word “break” may be inaccurate. The loss of structure and routine that accompanies those school-free months can be a challenge for any parent, but the time off can create a unique set of problems for those who have children with special needs. “I think because of the lack of structure, sometimes there are more acting out behaviors at home,” said Sharalee Stanton, an intervention specialist at Toledo charter school Bennett Venture Academy who has spent 11 years teaching in special education. “Parents struggle to deal with behaviors at home that might not be typical for their child. You’re adjusting to a whole new routine in the summer,” Stanton says.
While it’s easy to become overwhelmed, Stanton says there are activities and routines that can help parents and their children enjoy the coming vacation. Here, she offers her tips for making summer a stress-free growing experience for you and your child.
• Find educational activities where both you and your child can participate. “Find something to do, let’s say three days a week, to get you out of the house – something educational or social,” Stanton says. “Sometimes we forget the importance of the social piece with kids.” The Toledo Zoo is free every Monday with entry before noon for Lucas County residents, and the Toledo Public Library offers many programs.
• Include your kids in everyday chores at home. “It’s the perfect opportunity to get them involved in everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning and outdoor yard work,” Stanton says. “That teaches them to follow directions, teamwork and basic life skills.”
• Create a special summer routine. “You need to have some kind of bed time in the summer,” Stanton says. It can be different from the normal school routine, but “choose a new time and just stick with it as much you can in the summer.” Fluctuations in sleep times, “especially for kids with special needs,” throws off their routine, and that can make it stressful on both you and your children.
• Stay consistent with medications. Don’t disrupt your child’s medication schedule. “If you have a child with special needs who takes medication during the year, they should still take it during the summer,” Stanton says. “They need that regulation.”
• Implement the classroom behavior chart at home, too. If your child uses a behavior chart at school to track their progress and reward their successes, the same system may benefit them at home. “You can modify it for your child, or even ask the teacher if she or he has an extra copy so you can implement it at home over the summer.” Try to find something your kids enjoy doing, and use it as a reward. “My child, in the summertime, has to read something every day to earn video game time.”
• Take advantage of the opportunity to get outside. “Keep your kids active in the summertime,” Stanton says. Getting outside and being physically active can be helpful to some children. “If a child has a sensory processing disorder, that could help regulate their system,” Stanton says. “Depending on the child, That can be therapeutic. And it’s going to help them sleep better.”
• Don’t stop learning. “Don’t ever take a complete break from academics. That will avoid summer educational loss with kids,” Stanton says. “There’s a happy medium — it’s fine to ask a teacher, ‘What are some skills we can work on in the summer?’” Buy flash cards or borrow books to read from the library. “I think the most important thing to do over the summer is to read with your kids,” Stanton said.
• Get in back-to-school mode early. “Start the school routine early — at least two weeks prior to school starting,” Stanton says. “Get back into your school bedtime routine. And talking to your child, especially a special needs child, about school starting is very helpful.” If starting at a new school, ask to take a tour of the building ahead of time and, if possible, meet the teachers. By preparing them with what to expect, they can make the transition more smoothly.
• Find a camp, whether it’s special needs or not. “There are a lot of day camps in Toledo,” Stanton says. Some are pricier than others, so you should research what camp would fit your family best. “Special needs kids don’t have to go to a special needs camp —- many camps will accommodate a special needs child,” Stanton says. “It’s good for them to go to a camp with programming for everyone because then they have interaction with their ‘typical’ peers.”
An artistic harvest In a real way, our state (and our country) was built on the strength of its farms — but city kids might not always be aware of where their food comes from. As the Ohio State Fair approaches, the state’s Department of Agriculture presents the 2012 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expressions contest. The competition gives school children from kindergarten through grade 12 the opportunity to create their own unique work of art expressing the importance of agriculture to them and to the world. Entries can be in the form of video, photography, drawing or painting, and will be judged by an all-star panel made up of both civil servants and artistic professionals in all media. Kids should submit their work by Monday, July 9. Winners in each of four age divisions will be announced on July 20, and will each receive two tickets to the State Fair, including a special performance by country music up-and-comers The Band Perry. For full contest rules and entry forms, see 
The start of June means the start of picking your own fresh strawberries! Johnston Farms in Swanton provides individuals with the experience of going out and picking their own strawberries. This fun activity is a great way to get the family together, while also supporting local fruit growers. The farm’s been open since 1954, with the goal to provide “homegrown fruit in a simple, down to earth way.” Kids can also have fun at the farm’s petting zoo, which features goats, donkeys, and more. And come July, people should be able to also pick their own blueberries and black raspberries. For U-Pick hours, call 419-826-1453. Johnston Fruit Farms, 2790 Airport Hwy., Swanton. Open Monday– Saturday, 9am-5pm. 
Make room for the birds, and maybe buy a unique work of art, as the Toledo Farmers’ Market presents “Birdhouses For Schoolhouses,” a fun and festive fundraiser for Milan, Ohio’s Veggie U. Veggie U is a non-profit organization at the Culinary Vegetable Institute which runs a classroom program teaching fourth graders about the magic and majesty of vegetables. Young students learn where their food comes from and how to grow their own, in a valuable antidote to our fast-food culture. “Birdhouses For Schoolhouses” was the brainchild of Toledo’s Ralph Behrendt, of Flying Rhino Coffee. This third annual event gives local artists, business and community leaders a chance to decorate their own unique birdhouse to be offered at a silent auction on Saturday, June 9 at the Farmers’ Market. Molly Thompson, Veggie U’s Director of Development, is thrilled. “It’s a great fit,” she says. “It’s part of what the Farmers’ Market is about, and it’s a great way to expand our program beyond the classroom.” The finished birdhouses will be featured on the Farmers’ Market website and Facebook in advance of the auction, so check them out and pick out your favorite! You can help point the way to a healthier and greener future, and maybe give some feathered friends a nice home. Saturday, June 9, 9am-12pm. 525 Market St. 419-255-6765.