The “Summer Slide” is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Be!
As the Georgia heat begins to crank up and the school year winds down, parents across the state are starting to breathe a sigh of relief. No more early morning bus stops, no more nightly homework battles, and definitely no more packing school lunches, at least for a few months. But while summer is a much-needed break for students and teachers alike, it often brings a hidden challenge that keeps many parents awake at night: the Summer Slide.
At Myers Assessment & Therapeutic Service (MATS), we see the impact of this seasonal shift firsthand. For many of our families in Newnan, Peachtree City, and the surrounding areas, the "Summer Slide" isn't just about forgetting multiplication tables. It’s about the loss of hard-won social skills, communication breakthroughs, and behavioral progress.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way. With the right approach, summer can actually be a season of incredible growth.
What is the Summer Slide, Anyway?
In the educational world, the "Summer Slide" refers to the documented phenomenon where students lose academic knowledge and skills over the course of an extended break. Research suggests that students can lose up to three months of foundational knowledge in reading and math during the summer.
For children receiving therapy: specifically those working through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or social skills training: the "slide" can feel even steeper. When the structure of the school day disappears, children may experience:
- Skill Regression: Losing the ability to perform tasks they had previously mastered.
- Increased Challenging Behaviors: Difficulty navigating the lack of a rigid schedule.
- Social Isolation: Fewer opportunities to interact with peers in a structured, coached environment.
- Communication Gaps: A decrease in the use of functional communication tools or verbalizations.
Why Consistency is Key for Georgia Families
In Georgia, we have some fantastic resources for families, but the transition between school years can often leave a gap in services. This is why maintaining a consistent therapeutic routine is vital. At MATS, we believe that therapy shouldn't stop just because the school bell has stopped ringing. In fact, summer provides a unique "laboratory" for learning that the classroom simply cannot offer.
Without the pressure of academic testing and 7:00 AM start times, children often have more "cognitive bandwidth" to focus on social-emotional growth and functional life skills.
The MATS Difference: Naturalistic ABA
One of the most frequent questions we get from parents is, "I want my child to keep learning, but I also want them to have a summer. How do we do both?"
The answer lies in our Naturalistic ABA approach.
Traditional ABA is sometimes pictured as a child sitting at a desk doing repetitive drills. While Discrete Trial Training (DTT) has its place, our summer focus leans heavily into Natural Environment Training (NET). This means we take the science of ABA and bring it into the real world.
Whether we are at a local park in Coweta County or in our own specialized playroom, we use the child’s natural interests to drive the session. If a child loves bubbles, we use bubbles to teach requesting, turn-taking, and joint attention. If they are obsessed with dinosaurs, we use that to build vocabulary and social play skills.
By using a naturalistic approach, the child doesn't feel like they are "working." They feel like they are playing. But behind that play is a highly trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) tracking data and ensuring that every interaction is a step toward their individualized goals.
Social Skills Groups: More Than Just Playdates
One of the biggest hurdles during the summer months is the lack of peer interaction. For children who struggle with social cues, making friends, or maintaining a conversation, three months without "practice" can be a major setback.
Our Social Skills Groups at MATS are specifically designed to bridge this gap. These aren't just supervised playdates; they are structured therapeutic sessions where kids learn:
- Perspective Taking: Understanding how their actions affect others.
- Conflict Resolution: How to handle it when a peer wants to play with the same toy.
- Conversational Skills: Starting, maintaining, and ending a conversation appropriately.
- Cooperative Play: Working together toward a common goal, like building a fort or playing a board game.
For parents looking to keep their children engaged, our social skills programs are an excellent way to ensure that the social progress made during the school year is reinforced and expanded upon. You can explore more about our specialized offerings on our services page.
Summer Camps: Therapeutic Fun in the Sun
We are thrilled to offer specialized Summer Camps designed for children who might find traditional community camps overwhelming. Our camps provide the high-energy fun of a Georgia summer: think outdoor activities, crafts, and games: but with the clinical support our kids need to be successful.
Our staff-to-student ratios are kept low to ensure that every child receives the attention they deserve. We focus on:
- Routine Building: Helping children transition between activities with ease.
- Sensory Integration: Providing a "sensory-friendly" camp experience that respects each child's needs.
- Peer Mentorship: Encouraging older or more advanced peers to model positive social behaviors.
5 Tips for Parents to Prevent the Slide at Home
While we would love to see your child at MATS this summer, we know that therapeutic growth happens 24/7. Here are some quick, casual tips for Georgia parents to keep the momentum going at home:
- Keep a Visual Schedule: Even if it’s a "lazy day," having a visual representation of what comes next (Breakfast -> Play -> Park -> Lunch) can significantly reduce anxiety and behavioral outbursts.
- Use "First/Then" Language: "First we put on our sunscreen, then we get to go in the pool." This simple ABA-based strategy helps set clear expectations.
- Narrate Your Day: To help with language development, talk about what you are doing as you do it. "I’m putting the red towel in the bag. Now I’m grabbing the blue one."
- Incorporate Learning into Fun: Heading to the Newnan library? Make it a scavenger hunt. Going to the grocery store? Have your child help you find three green items.
- Prioritize Movement: Georgia summers are hot, but physical activity is crucial for regulation. If it’s too hot outside, create an "indoor obstacle course" using pillows and painter's tape.
Navigating Georgia Resources and EPSDT
For many families in our state, accessing these summer services is made possible through EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment). This is a benefit of Medicaid that ensures children get the preventative and specialty care they need.
Navigating the paperwork and authorizations for summer hours can be daunting, but it is one of the most important ways to protect your child’s progress. At MATS, we pride ourselves on helping families understand their coverage so that their child doesn't miss out on vital summer intervention.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Make it a Summer of Growth
The "Summer Slide" is a real challenge, but it is not an inevitable one. By choosing a program that emphasizes Naturalistic ABA and social connection, you are giving your child the tools they need to return to school in the fall stronger, more confident, and ready to learn.
At Myers Assessment & Therapeutic Service, we are committed to being your partner in this journey. We aren't just a clinic; we are a part of the Georgia community, dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential: one summer day at a time.
Ready to beat the slide?
Spaces for our summer social skills groups and camps fill up fast. Reach out to us today to discuss your child's needs and how we can make this their best summer yet. Check out our full list of services or browse our archive of helpful articles for more tips on navigating the world of ABA and therapeutic support.
Let’s turn the "Summer Slide" into a "Summer Leap!"
