“Everything’s Changing”: Supporting Children (and Ourselves) Through Summer Transitions

Summer holidays are often painted as a time of freedom, joy, and spontaneous adventure. But for many families — especially those with neurodivergent children or additional needs — summer can also bring disruption, uncertainty, and emotional strain.

Whether your child is navigating the long school break, preparing to start a new class or school, or saying goodbye to a trusted teacher or support worker, transitions during summer run deep. And if you’re a parent quietly grieving the loss of a consistent support system or struggling to meet shifting expectations, you’re not alone either.

At The Aspen Clinic Salford, we understand that change can be exciting and destabilising — sometimes at the same time. Here’s a compassionate guide to holding space for both.

For children, school provides more than education — it offers predictability, routine, social rhythm, and identity. When school ends (even temporarily), many children lose key anchors in their emotional world.

Add in:

…and you get a mix of excitement and exhaustion — in children and adults alike.

Whether they’re transitioning to a new year group or stepping into an entirely new school, children benefit from tools that make the unknown more manageable:

Autistic children, those with ADHD, and young people with additional needs may need extra time, repetition, and flexibility. You can help by:

Letting go of your child’s primary support system — whether it’s a teacher, therapist, keyworker, or structured school day — can feel disorienting. You may worry about what’s next, whether your child will cope, or if you can hold everything together until September.

You don’t have to do it all.

Here’s what might help:

Letting go of a trusted support doesn’t mean forgetting or replacing them — it means carrying their impact forward. Their care, consistency, and belief in your child have shaped what comes next.

You are allowed to feel wobbly. You are allowed to not have all the answers. And you are more than allowed to reach out for new support.

Whether you’re managing behaviour changes during summer, preparing for a new school start, or feeling the weight of doing it alone — we’re here.
Our team of child therapists, parent support practitioners and neurodiverse-affirming specialists offer:

Based in Salford — supporting families across Greater Manchester and beyond.