Preparing For A New School Year With Less Stress

The countdown to a new school year is on. Many children are excited at the prospect of school starting, but others feel a little more uncertain. School brings a complete change in routine, unfamiliar faces, and a new set of expectations. This can create a lot of anxiety in children with autism who thrive on predictability. The transition from summer to school days can go a little more smoothly with thoughtful preparation, though. 

A Little Conversation Goes A Long Way

Instead of waiting until the days before school starts, start discussing the upcoming changes in advance. If they are returning to a building they are familiar with, start talking about things they’ll remember, such as the playground or school library. If this is a new facility, explore the school website or social media together to get a feel for the environment. Go over teachers and class schedules once you know them. Let your child know that you’re there to answer any questions they may have. 

Ease Into New Routines

Summer often comes with a more flexible schedule and free time. School brings a whole new routine, potentially including new times for bedtime, wake-up, and meals. Instead of making these changes when school begins, it’s best to ease into it with a gradual transition. Start transitioning in the weeks before school starts, practicing evening and morning routines to help segue into their school schedule with less disruption. This is a great opportunity to use a visual aid to help them actually see how their routine should look so they know what to expect. 

Visit The School Ahead of Time

Being familiar with an environment can help ease worries. Your local school likely hosts a Back-to-School night or orientation to allow students and their families to visit, but you don’t have to leave it at that. Take a drive by the school for not only a visual of the building, but a practice run of the route they’ll take to get there. If the school opens their playground to the public, visit the playground to get a lay of the land or try out equipment in a low-pressure way. If it would be helpful, you may even be able to coordinate a visit inside the school in a more quiet, comfortable way instead of waiting for a busy open house evening. Walk your child to their classroom and other relevant locations such as the restrooms, lunchroom, and any other classrooms your child may be attending. 

Practice School-Based Skills

There are certain skills that may either be new to your child or that have become rusty from less use over the summer break. Start incorporating these skills into daily life again leading up to the start of school. These skills may include zipping their backpack, opening containers for lunch, filling a water bottle, or simply just asking an adult for help when they need it. Independence is likelying something you’ve already been working on, especially if you are engaging in ABA therapy. School just brings new ways to incorporate and practice these skills. 

Prepare For Big Feelings

Although children with autism don’t always express their emotions in a stereotypical way, that doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling them intensely. School brings a multitude of feelings ranging from excitement to fear to frustration. All of these are completely normal, so don’t be concerned if the start of the school year starts on an emotional note. You may notice your child is more tired, anxious, or overwhelmed than usual. This is completely normal and likely to lessen as the school year progresses. Expect for your child to need extra support and comfort during this transition. Make sure you’re ready with your child’s favorite comfort items, avoid a packed schedule during this time, and don’t forget to give yourself grace, too - this will be a transition for the entire family. 

Prioritize Flexibility and Connection

Even if you do everything possible to prepare for transition to school, it’s likely not to be perfect - and that’s okay! Success doesn’t look the same for every child, so make sure to not only focus on the challenges but the wins, as well. Celebrate the positives, whether that looks like the discovery of a new friend or a meltdown-free morning. Big or small, every success deserves to be noticed and celebrated. 

Getting used to a new routine can take time for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for a child with autism. They are not only changing their routine and entering unfamiliar territory, they are leaving their comfort zone for significantly more time than they’ve been used to. Try to stay patient through the adjustment, providing a safe space to land for your child when things feel difficult. Take time to quietly connect when you can at home, reminding them through actions that you are there to support and love them even through the hard days. 

ABA Therapy Can Help Your Child Bloom Through Transitions

Transitions may continue to be challenging even as new skills are developed. ABA therapy can help teach your child and family important skills that can make them feel less overwhelming over time. Bloom Behavioral Healthcare helps promote these skills with individualized goals using elements such as visual aids, positive reinforcement, trigger recognition, and confidence building. With a plan built around your child’s specific needs and strengths, we’ll work toward a future that feels easier to navigate without compromising who your child is. Contact us to learn more about how Bloom can help.