Getting Ready for School

It’s time to start getting ready for school!
Check uniform, backpack, emails, timetables, and most importantly start talking about School.

Navigating School Transitions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

By Phill Baldock,
Special Education Therapist,
Small Steps Learning,

1. Establish a Consistent Routine: Routines provide essential structure and predictability for children with ASD. Creating a morning, evening, and weekend routine can help manage expectations and minimize surprises. Introduce changes gradually, offering praise for their flexibility in adapting to new situations.

2. Utilize Visual Stories for Preparation: Visual stories, such as Social Stories™, are powerful tools to help children with ASD understand upcoming changes. Create a project with words and photographs of the new school building, lunch areas, important landmarks, maps, classroom guides, and teachers' names. Address their concerns and questions, which will help ease their anxiety about the transition.

3. Simplify Organization: Assist your child in organizing their tasks before or during the first week of school. Visualizing the morning, afternoon, and bedtime routines and creating calendars for assignments and projects can be immensely helpful. Use color-coded books for different subjects and consider recording devices for children with auditory processing or writing difficulties.

4. Early Handover Meetings with Teaching Staff: Organize a handover meeting between yourself and your child's teaching staff, preferably involving a senior member of the school administration. Discuss your child's individual needs, struggles with emotions or friendships, and develop an Individual Learning Program (ILP) with strategies to support them.

5. Visit the School Together: Encourage your child to visit the new school at least three times before the school term starts. These visits will help them become familiar with the classroom and school environment. Plan the visits during quieter times to minimize sensory overload, and gradually increase exposure to more crowded areas.

6. Ensure Trained Teachers: Check if the school has teachers or staff members experienced in working with children with ASD. Having a trustworthy and understanding teacher will help your child navigate the greater organizational demands and emotional changes associated with high school.

7. Organize a Responsible Mentor: Consider arranging a buddy system or mentor for your child, especially in high school. The mentor can help your child understand the unspoken social rules, such as dress codes and popular hangout spots. Gradually phase out the mentor's involvement as your child becomes more comfortable. 

8. Establish a Chill Out Zone: Inquire about the availability of a quiet area at school where your child can go if they become overwhelmed. This space can help them cope with sensory overload and avoid potential bullying situations. Additionally, discuss with the school how they plan to build your child's resilience and social skills to reduce reliance on the chill-out zone.

9. Make Curriculum Adjustments: Negotiate with teachers to make appropriate curriculum adjustments to prevent overload. Reducing class time or subject load may be beneficial. For high school students, options like a Life Skills curriculum, distance education for some subjects, or flexible HSC pathways can be considered.

10. Seek Homework Exemptions: Discuss the possibility of exempting your child from certain homework assignments to reduce stress and overwhelm. Tailor the workload to their processing speed and individual needs with the approval of the teaching staff.

11. Nurture Talents and Interests: Encourage your child's strengths and interests to keep them engaged in the classroom. Opportunities to showcase their talents can boost their confidence, foster social skills, and create positive interactions with peers.

Conclusion: Transitioning to a new school can be challenging for any child, but it presents unique difficulties for those with autism spectrum disorder. By implementing these strategies and fostering a supportive and understanding environment, we can help children with ASD navigate school transitions more smoothly and foster their personal growth and success. Remember, taking it slow, steady, and planning ahead is key to reducing stress and ensuring a positive start to each academic year.