Back-to-school tips for supporting your child with autism

Summer is coming to an end. The transition back to school for children with autism can be especially difficult due to the changes in routine and introduction to new environments and people. I’m a board-certified behavior analyst, and here are my tips for supporting your child with autism while navigating the transition back to school.  

Create a routine 

To prepare your child for what’s to come each day, create a routine and start practicing it early. Many people with autism find changes in their routine to be challenging. Introducing the routine early may help to reduce difficulties during the mornings when you’re rushing to get out of the door for school. You can even do practice runs where you fully load your child up and drive to school to get them used to the route.   

Visit the school 

Work with the school to arrange a short visit (or two) prior to the start of the school year to support familiarity. Aim for your child to see their classroom, meet their teacher(s) and tour the facility.   

Allow for independence 

During all possible moments, allow your child to make decisions for themself. This builds independence and confidence. A great way to do this is to incorporate these opportunities into the routine and schedule you’ve already created. Some examples include giving your child two options for what they’ll eat for breakfast that day, or what coat they’ll wear. Praise them for choosing what they want. 

Use visuals  

For multi-step instructions, create visuals. This helps with building routines and with teaching children to be more independent. A great example of this is a visual with the steps for brushing teeth in the bathroom. Even if the parent is performing the steps, the visual and repetition of the same steps each day is a wonderful way to teach children in their natural environment. As you start each step, point to the picture and say out loud what you are going to do. A visual of the entire morning routine can be helpful, too.  

Communicate with your child 

Talk to your child and prepare them for changes to come, for their day, for what you are doing and for what you need them to do. Communication can help to reduce anxiety, and exposure to language is always a good thing. 

Communicate with your child’s school 

Proactively work with your child’s school to create a collaborative team to help your child be successful. Ask them for your child's schedule in advance and brainstorm strategies for potentially challenging environments. For example, if a cafeteria is generally overwhelming for your child, request a small group atmosphere. Going into school, your child should be set up for success.  

Get involved 

The transition back to school is a great time to see what community resources are available. Many schools hold back-to-school resource fairs to showcase what’s available in the community, including providers, support groups and sports teams.   

Prepare yourself  

If a stressful situation arises, have the tools and support system to manage it. One of the most important things a parent can do is take care of themselves and their mental health. There are local support groups that can help you through challenges.