School breaks change the rhythm of services for kids receiving ABA. NYC families generally have two paths, and they aren’t mutually exclusive. The first is the NYC DOE’s Extended School Year (ESY) program, if your child’s IEP qualifies. The second is increasing private ABA hours during the break, since school-day hours free up. Most families do best planning this a few months ahead, not the week school lets out.
Why Breaks Matter for Kids in ABA?
New York State’s official standard for extended-year eligibility is “substantial regression.” It’s defined as a child’s inability to maintain skills during July and August, severe enough to require an unusually long period of review to reteach what was already mastered. [2] This isn’t automatic for every child, and it isn’t specific to autism. IEP teams are required to consider it annually for any eligible student, based on actual regression and recoupment data, not assumption. [3]
Option 1: NYC DOE’s Extended School Year (ESY) Program
If your child has an IEP, the team may recommend ESY services, sometimes called “12-month services.” This is specialized instruction and/or related services provided in July and August, separate from general summer school, and at no cost to families. [1]
A few things worth knowing:
- Eligibility isn’t automatic. The IEP team reviews regression and recoupment data at the annual review meeting to decide if ESY is warranted, bring it up directly if you think it applies, rather than waiting to be offered it. [3]
- It integrates with Summer Rising. NYC’s citywide summer program, Summer Rising, includes dedicated programming for students in ESY, District 75, and Autism (Nest/Horizon) programs. These programs generally run a shorter core day until around midday or early afternoon, depending on the program with the option to add CBO-led enrichment activities until 6 PM. [4]
- ESY is DOE-provided, not private ABA. Some students receive both ESY related services through their IEP and separate private ABA hours through insurance rather than one replacing the other.
Applications and placement details are typically communicated by the school in the spring for that summer. This is worth raising well before the school year ends, not after.
Option 2: Increasing Private ABA Hours During the Break
Since school-day hours open up, many families use the break to add private ABA sessions sometimes described as “summer intensive” scheduling. A few practical notes:
- Talk to your provider and your insurer ahead of time. A change in weekly hours often needs new authorization from your insurance plan, and that process takes time. Don’t assume it happens automatically the week the break starts. [5]
- Ask early, since summer scheduling fills up. Providers plan staffing for the summer months in advance; a request made a few months ahead has a much better chance of being accommodated than one made in June. (Our guide to ABA waitlists in NYC has more on why timing matters this much.)
- Be specific about what you’re asking for. “More hours” is vague. Ask your BCBA whether the additional time should target specific goals (like a skill that tends to regress) or simply maintain consistency during the schedule change.
What About Winter and Spring Break ABA Services?
ESY is specifically a summer (July–August) DOE program. It doesn’t apply to winter or spring break. For these shorter breaks, most families simply adjust their existing private ABA schedule directly with their provider. New insurance authorization usually isn’t needed, since the overall weekly hours aren’t changing as dramatically as a full summer shift.
A Practical Planning Timeline for Summer ABA Services
- About 3 months before the break: Raise ESY at your IEP meeting if you think it applies; ask your ABA provider about summer availability and scheduling
- 6–8 weeks before: Confirm insurance authorization for any change in weekly ABA hours
- 2–3 weeks before: Confirm the final schedule, and transportation details if your child is in a DOE summer program with busing
What Actually Matters for ABA Therapy During Breaks
Whether your child is in ESY, increased private ABA, both, or neither, a few things stay constant:
- Progress should keep being tracked with real data, even on a modified summer schedule
- Parent involvement matters more, not less, when the usual school-day structure is gone
- If you’re not sure which path fits your child, it’s worth asking your provider directly. At NYC ABA Therapy, we plan summer scheduling with families months in advance, since June requests are much harder to accommodate well. (Not yet working with a provider? Start with our Parent’s Checklist for Choosing an ABA Provider.)
Quick Checklist
- Ask your IEP team about ESY eligibility at least a few months before summer
- Contact your ABA provider early about summer hours or “intensive” scheduling
- Confirm any insurance reauthorization needed for a change in weekly hours
- Check Summer Rising integration if your child is in ESY, D75, or Autism (Nest/Horizon) programming
- For winter/spring breaks, confirm your schedule directly with your provider, formal ESY doesn’t apply
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ESY the same as ABA therapy?
No. ESY is a DOE special education program provided through your child’s IEP; private ABA is separate and typically delivered through insurance. Some children receive both.
Does every child with an IEP get ESY over the summer?
No, it’s based on documented regression and recoupment risk, reviewed annually by the IEP team, not automatic for every student.
Can we increase our private ABA hours just for the summer?
Often yes, but it usually requires new insurance authorization, ask both your provider and your insurer well ahead of the break rather than the week it starts.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personalized guidance from your child’s IEP team, a licensed clinician, or your insurance provider.
References
[1] NYC Public Schools – Extended School Year Services for July and August
[2] NY State Education Department – Extended School Year Programs and Services: Questions and Answers
[3] Autism Speaks – Seven Things to Know About ESY
[4] NYC Public Schools – Summer Rising 2026
[5] Autism Speaks – New York State-Regulated Insurance Coverage