by Bethan Davies, Kimmu Coaching

School’s out for the summer! Everyone loves holidays! Fun, sun, sea, sand, no strict routines, do what you want, go where you want, friends and family time. Amazing! Or is it?

For many neurodivergent young people, especially those with Autism or ADHD, summer can be a wonderful opportunity to unwind, but it can also present challenges that families may not always expect.

Neurodiversity simply means that people’s brains work significantly different from what we or society considers ‘typical’. These differences can affect how young people (and adults) cope with change, make decisions, or manage their emotions. When routines suddenly shift, some children may feel unsettled or anxious. Behaviours can sometimes appear compulsive or repetitive, especially when a young person is trying to create predictability in a world that suddenly feels less structured. Boredom can also be difficult: for some, too much empty time feels overwhelming; for others, too many activities can be just as stressful.

The key is balance. Parents and carers don’t need to fill every minute with plans. In fact, gentle structure, a loose daily rhythm, clear expectations, and time to relax often works better than a packed schedule. Understanding and patience really matters. Neurodivergent young people may communicate differently, express emotions more intensely, or need extra time to process what’s happening around them. None of this is “bad behaviour”; it’s simply how their brains respond to the world.

For young people, it’s important to know that feeling overwhelmed is okay. Taking breaks, asking for space, or needing things explained again doesn’t make you difficult, it makes you human.

With awareness, patience isn’t a barrier to a great holiday; it’s just a different way of experiencing it.

Contact Kimmu Coaching https://www.kimmu.co.uk/