Everything You Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid to Ask
Starting new school year can be such an exciting time for both kids and parents! 🎉 But if your child has autism, it might also bring some unique challenges. Children with autism may find it tough to navigate social interactions, process sensory information, and follow routines.
As a parent, it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed and anxious about your child starting school. But no worries! With proper preparation and support, you can help your child have a successful transition into their new school environment. 🏫 In this blog post, we’ll share some friendly tips to assist your child with autism in starting school for the first time. Let’s dive in! 💙
- Regularly engage in open conversations about starting school with your child concerning what lies ahead in the coming year. This straightforward yet crucial advice will greatly alleviate your child’s anxiety, making it an invaluable approach.
2. Help your child ease anxieties about the start of the school year by crossing off days on the calendar. This simple action can provide them with a clearer understanding of when the school year begins.
3. Establish a fresh morning routine and rehearse it before the commencement of the school year. Gradually start waking your child up earlier every morning, allowing them to adjust to the new wake-up time well in advance of that momentous first day.
Towards the end of summer vacation, conduct a few practice runs so that your child becomes familiar with the sequence of events before heading off to school. If your child is receptive to visual aids, consider creating a comprehensive schedule that encompasses everything from getting dressed to boarding the bus.
4. Develop a daily school schedule for your child to provide them with a sense of comfort. While you may not know the exact routine, simply outlining one day can make a difference. If feasible, request your case manager to procure the current year’s schedule beforehand and align your school visit accordingly.
5. Compose a letter outlining your child’s strengths, weaknesses, possible sensory challenges, dietary restrictions, and preferred rewards. If feasible, involve your child in crafting this invaluable document to provide insights to school personnel. Additionally, ensure copies of this concise letter (1-2 pages maximum) reach your child’s teacher, aides, and any other staff involved in their education.
Remember to share it with the principal, assistant principal, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist, physical education instructor, music teacher, and others. Equipping teachers with a comprehensive “snapshot” of your child prior to instruction can be immensely beneficial.
Feel free to showcase your child’s remarkable qualities while you’re at it!
6. Ensure that a behavior plan is in place from the very beginning, if it is deemed appropriate. If your child already follows a plan that has proven to be effective, kindly request that it be shared with their new teacher and promptly implemented at the start of the academic year.
7. When your child has sensory issues, it’s important to ensure they have a go-to sensory item from day one. These objects can provide immense comfort to children on the spectrum who grapple with sensory overload. Make it a priority to have at least one of these items accessible to your child at all times.
8. Finally certainly not of any less importance, make an effort to unwind. Children have an uncanny ability to sense their parents’ uneasiness, so managing your own anxiety will significantly contribute to your child’s tranquility on that crucial first day of school and throughout the academic year.
