As the UK experiences a challenging heatwave, many of us are seeking ways to stay cool and safe. For children and young people with a childhood-acquired brain injury (ABI), hot weather can bring not only physical, but also emotional and neurological challenges that aren’t always obvious, but are very real. In this blog, we share practical, compassionate heat safety for children with an ABI. Read on to find out how you can support your child through extreme heat, manage hydration and medication risks, and ease mental and sensory strain.
Why Hydration Matters More for Children With ABI
Children with acquired brain injury may not recognise when they’re thirsty, especially if their injury has affected their ability to communicate or understand internal body cues. What’s more: dehydration can creep in quickly and lead to serious complications in hot weather.
Top hydration tips for children with ABI:
- Offer small amounts of water regularly throughout the day, even if they don’t ask for it.
- You can use colourful bottles or favourite straws to encourage drinking.
- Include hydrating snacks like cucumber, melon, and yoghurt.
- If your child is tube-fed, speak with your clinical team about adjusting fluid levels safely.
- Avoid fizzy, caffeinated, or overly sweet drinks, as these can worsen dehydration and may cause behavioural spikes or crashes.
Medication and Heat: What you should know
Some common medications prescribed to children with ABI can affect how their body handles heat. These include (but are not limited to) anti-seizure medications, stimulants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Common heat-related side effects can be a reduced ability to sweat, increased body temperature, a diminished thirst response, and skin sensitivity or rashes.
What you can do:
- Read the medicine leaflet for warnings about sun or heat.
- Ask your pharmacist about how to adjust to the hot weather.
- Keep your child cool, especially during the hottest hours between 11 am and 3 pm.
- Use fans, cool cloths, and shaded rest areas to reduce overheating risk.
Mental strain in hot weather: a hidden struggle
Heatwaves don’t just impact our physical comfort, they can also affect emotional wellbeing, behaviour, and mental resilience. Many families note that their children become more irritable, fatigued, or overwhelmed when it’s hot. Heat safety for children with an ABI therefore also includes thinking about how the heat can increase sensory overload, worsen fatigue and cognitive fog, disrupt routines, and cause anxiety.
Supportive tips:
- Set up a cool, quiet “chill-out” space with reduced lighting and calming toys.
- Use visuals and simple language to explain changes in plans or routines.
- Reduce expectations and allow more rest and regulation time.
- Focus on comfort and connection, not productivity.
- It’s OK to slow down: it’s not a sprint.
Staying cool
- Dress light: Use soft, breathable clothing like cotton.
- Stay indoors during peak heat: Close curtains and use fans or cooling aids.
- Cool sleeping tricks: Try freezing socks, dampening pillowcases, or placing ice packs (wrapped in fabric) under sheets.
- Sun safety: Apply sunscreen, encourage hats and sunglasses, and stick to shaded spaces where possible.
You’re not alone
Caring for a child during a heatwave can feel isolating, especially with special needs. But you’re not alone — and you don’t have to do it perfectly. Your presence, your care, and your love make the biggest difference. If you need support, advice, or just someone who understands, our ABI Coordinators are here for you.