We all know the summer flies by, and getting back to the classroom (or starting school for the first time) is never an easy experience. But, when you have a child on the Autism Spectrum, shifting routines, working with new teachers or classroom aids, and navigating unfamiliar social situations can make “back to school” feel a lot more daunting. To help you ease into the school year, we’ve put together some of our favorite strategies for navigating the transition.
Establishing a Routine
Daily schedules are important for everyone. During the summer, school day routines can get way out of whack. And, for kiddos entering school for the first time, families may not have a set routine at all. 2-3 weeks before the first day of school, start preparing your child by adding pieces of the school day to their summer routine. For example, if your child needs to wake up at 7:00 am during the school year, practice their rising and shining ahead of time so you don’t end up with a grumpy, tired kiddo on the first day of school. Gradually, you can start incorporating more pieces of the school day routine like prepping their backpack, getting dressed, or sitting for breakfast. You may even be able to work with the school to tour before the first day and practice getting your child acclimated to their new environment and routine.
If your child struggles with changes to their routine, try using visual aids, planners, and social stories like the one linked below to help them learn!
First Day of School Social Narrative
Communicating with Educators
If your child has an Autism diagnosis, they will qualify for in-school assistance and services in the classroom. The specific type of assistance will be written into a legal document called an IEP or 504 plan (click here to learn more about IEPs). In most cases, writing the IEP/504 Plan will be a collaborative process between parents and school districts. But, you can be extra proactive by setting up meetings with school staff (teachers, aids, etc.) before the school year starts. This will allow you to review their plan and build rapport with the school. Use these meetings to share your child's strengths, challenges, and accommodations needed. Feel free to take your kiddos “All About Me” page for staff members to have as they too prepare for the new year!
ABA Therapy For Classroom Readiness
If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ABA therapy is a great tool to help your kiddo reach key developmental milestones before hitting the schoolyard! Through an early-intervention ABA program, like those offered at Midwest, families can work with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who develops an individualized treatment plan based on your child’s needs. Skills that can be nurtured with ABA include:
- Building coping strategies for anxiety, overstimulation, or frustration.
- Practicing self-care tasks like using the restroom, dressing, packing bags, and personal hygiene.
- Teaching organizational and listening skills that are key to classroom success.
- Developing routines based on school structure like eating lunch in a group setting or transitioning from one activity to the next.
- Navigating social situations and teaching safe play skills.
As your child nears graduation from an early intervention program, your BCBA will also provide detailed input and recommendations for an IEP or 504 plan. Many children gradually reduce their hours in an ABA program to ensure a safe and smooth transition into the classroom.