It seems like we just transitioned into summer and now it is time to think about going back to school. Just as the rhythm of days starts to be familiar, we have to adjust to a new schedule. Transitions are hard for all of us – even good changes can be temporarily stressful. Changing gears can be particularly difficult for many affected by Autism.
Preparing someone with Autism for change is probably the most important tool we have to support transitions. Talk frequently about when school will start. Mark the date prominently on the calendar. Start the school year bedtime and wake-up time a week or two before the first day of school. There will be resistance, but it is better to get the conflict over with before the school bus is outside your door. Let your child help you create or update the school day schedule. If you need a picture schedule, check out the low cost resource at LessonPix. When Kieran was young, we had to rely on school personnel to create picture schedules due to the high cost of available systems, draw our own images or cut and paste what we found on the internet.
An individual classroom visit and school tour before school starts can do a lot to allay anxiety – both yours and your child’s. This proved invaluable when Kieran began high school – on our second visit, we discovered that someone in the office had reassigned his locker to another student. To this day, I am convinced that knowing of the change and being able to locate and practice opening his new locker prevented a first day meltdown. It may also help you to tune in on stress points and to prepare your child to deal with them.
You can download a free back to school social story HERE. While the one offered may not be perfectly tailored to your student’s situation, it can provide you with a framework for writing your own. I’m attaching my favorite of the many social stories I wrote for Kieran involved his reaction to teasing by some classmates who likened his hair to that of a buffalo. It really worked! You can read the story HERE.
If your child enjoys shopping, take them to buy school supplies and pack their school bag in readiness for the first day. For some, the first use of that new Paw Patrol backpack will help ease the stress. Make a list of everything that your child will need to take to school, including a comfort object, and allow time to go through it before they must leave the house.
A promise of an after-school treat may help the day go well. If the day doesn’t go so well, having the treat may provide a good time to discuss what went wrong and come up with a plan or script to make the next day better.
In the meantime, cherish your time together!
As you prepare your child to return to school, you might wish to check out the Autism Society’s information on education and IEP’s. This may assist you in preparing school personnel to support your child in the best way possible. For more personalized support, you can contact Autism Society of Ohio’s information and referral specialist at 614-495-7551. We are here to listen and to help.
Another back-to-school resource from Autism Parenting Magazine is Simple Ways to Transition Back to School with Autism.
Don’t forget, school supplies, clothing, books, electronics, etc. are sales tax-free from August 1 through 14 according to the Ohio Department of Taxation. The sales tax holiday covers most items priced at $500 or less, including online purchases. For more information, click HERE.
Kathi J. Machle, President, Autism Society of Ohio