By Kaitlyn Gorman
Extended School Year (ESY) refers to the special education and related services that are necessary for a child with a disability to receive a free appropriate public education that is provided during any time that school is not in session, which includes before and after school hours, school vacations, summer, and weekends.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams, of which parents are equal members, determine ESY eligibility and services. When considering whether or not to accept the IEP Team’s proposal for ESY, it’s important to weigh several factors, including changes in routine, the possibility of new staff working with your child, and typically limited hours. It is important to know that families may choose not to have their child participate in ESY and it will not jeopardize any school year service or future ESY services.
Private therapies are often difficult or overwhelming to schedule throughout the school year. The summer months offer a valuable opportunity to enhance services, such as Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy to support meaningful progress. For some families, these services are crucial to work on skill development outside of the educational environment.
Private services, whether private clinic-based or in-home services, during the summer months offer the ability to increase these services beyond the typical once-a-week schedule. Additional opportunities to work on skill building are social groups held by local speech and language clinics, adaptive recreational programs or in-home services. In-home services, in particular, provide a family-centered approach by embedding strategies into a child’s natural environment and daily routines. However, availability may be limited due to a shortage of providers, so early planning is encouraged.
Examples of summer skill-building may include:
An Occupational Therapist can focus on activities of daily living (ADLs) within the home to promote independence, supporting gross motor development, such as helping a child learn to ride a bike independently alongside neighborhood peers.
A Speech-Language Pathologist can provide services in more natural environments whether through play-based 1:1 articulation session or in a group setting working on social skills with peers.
A Physical Therapist can help children achieve goals across settings, including playing at the park, participating in community sports, and improving overall physical independence.
Therapeutic summer camps are another excellent option, offering structured support in engaging, social environments. Because these programs often have long waitlists, families are encouraged to explore options early. Please see QR code for a list of camps https://nhfv.org/resources-category/camp/
To help manage the costs of these alternatives, we recommend having a discussion with your Area Agency for what support may be available if your child is served by one of the ten agencies statewide. You may also consider contacting your insurance provider to discuss saving approved private therapy sessions for summer use. Grant opportunities may also be available through organizations such as the Harry Gregg Foundation.
Ultimately, families should consider their child’s unique needs and their family priorities when deciding how to spend the summer months. This includes not accessing ESY or other private options at all. This article is not intended to guide you toward a specific decision, but rather to encourage thoughtful and creative planning that aligns with your family’s goals and priorities.