Most parents look forward to the end of August because it is back to school time.
Back-to-school time for parents with children who have special needs can be a mixed blessing. Transitions and change are difficult for all children, but especially children with autism.
Here are some tips for parents to help make going back to school more enjoyable for you and your child with autism.
- Start joining the school routine early. Make a picture schedule of your morning routine and start sticking with it. Start getting up a little earlier each day and going to bed earlier at night. This will make things easier instead of waiting until the night before school starts and saying, “School is tomorrow. You have to go to bed at 8:00” when your child has stayed up until 10:00. .
- Think twice before buying new school clothes. In my experience, children with autism generally don’t like the feeling of having new clothes. Sending a child to school in scratchy new clothes can be a bit of sensory overload. Instead, consider buying used clothing or washing it multiple times before school starts. Encourage your child to wear his new clothes and shoes at home.
- Consider getting your hair cut early. Some children with autism do not like to cut their hair and if they begin to associate haircuts with school, their anxiety will increase.
- Glasses If your child wears glasses and doesn’t wear them during the summer (which I don’t recommend), ask him to wear them at least a week before school starts.
- Read books and watch back-to-school TV shows.
- Make a social story with your child and read it every day. Social stories are helpful for children with autism because it helps them prepare for things that are going to be different. You can include photos if you want. Here is an example:
- Use a calendar to mark the days until school starts. Post a picture of a school bus on the date of the first day of school.
- Make plans to meet the teacher in advance. For tips on how to meet the teacher, read my article Meeting the new teacher.
Summer is almost over. Kevin is getting ready to go back to school. On August 24, Kevin will take bus 456 to “Canyon Elementary School.” This year’s “Kevin” teachers are Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Jones. Kevin’s dad bought him new shoes for school. Kevin’s mom bought him new clothes for school. Kevin is getting ready to go back to school.
