Autism and the New School Year

The back-to-school season is already stressful, but it can be even more stressful for parents and families of children with Autism. Autism Speaks has put together some helpful tips and advice about getting your child ready and helping your child adapt to the changes that come with a new school year.

Read our blog below discussing some of the best tips for the back-to-school season for a child with Autism!

Out of the 17 tips that Autism Speaks has put together, we’ve pulled our 5 favorites that we think would help you out the most!

1. Create a new morning routine and practice it prior to the start of the school year. Begin waking up your child a little earlier each morning so that he or she is acclimated to the new wake-up time way before that big first day. Do a few “run-throughs” near the end of summer vacation so your child knows what to expect in the time before leaving for school. If your child responds well to visual schedules, you might create one outlining everything from getting dressed to going on the bus.
2. Take a tour of the school. This can be arranged with the case manager of your child study team. You may not get to meet your child’s new teacher this early, but at least your child will become familiar with the building prior to attending. When you are on your tour, visit the main office, bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, library, playground, and any room your child may spend time in during the coming year. Take pictures on your tour and incorporate them into a social story afterwards so that you and your child can review it during the summer (a social story is a book that a parent or caretaker creates to explain in written and/or pictorial detail what the child should expect for an upcoming event).
3. If your child has sensory issues make sure he or she has a favorite sensory item available from the first day. For those children on the spectrum who struggle from sensory overload, certain objects can offer a great deal of comfort. Make sure your child will have at least one available at all times.
4. After the school year begins be on top of your child’s progress. Make contact with all of your child’s instructors in the first few weeks of school. This enables you to track how your son or daughter is progressing and lets school staff know you are interested and invested in your child’s success.
5. Last, but definitely not least, try to relax. All children can pick up on their parents’ anxiety. If you can keep yours in check, it will help your child stay more calm on that all-important first day and through the school year.

To read the rest of the amazing tips, please visit the link below to read Autism Speak’s article and find additional resources.

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/back-school-17-tips-help-autistic-kids