by Harold S. Koplewicz, MD
Friends--
When my sons were young, no sooner were they back to school after winter break than the conversation turned to summer plans. I remember being flabbergasted. There truly is no rest for the parent -- or the thoroughly scheduled school-age child.
There's a reason for this preparation -- summer is a time for great changes in children. Some kids have transformative experiences at camp or traveling. And some kids, particularly those who must contend with
ADHD or anxiety or a learning disorder, struggle to attain those experiences, or fit in with summer friends.
Luckily, summer presents a great opportunity for all kids to test their limits and grow. We have articles on childmind.org about
holidays, managing breaks from school and using summer effectively to maintain progress for children, whether they are working to overcome a learning challenge or a behavioral issue.
At the Child Mind Institute, for instance, our new Summer Program is an example of using summer to give children with ADHD and behavioral, learning and social issues a leg up while having a great time.
Programs like these are a model for what mental health professionals can do when they bring together clinical research, top-notch training and compassionate care. And for how to make the most out of summer break while giving kids the gift of a transformative experience.
Warmest regards,
Harold S. Koplewicz, MD
President
Child Mind Institute
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