Planning for the Return to School for Autistic Students

For many parents and students, thinking about going back to school during the holidays is something they’d rather avoid. The transition between the summer holidays and school can often be tricky, and as such, doing as much planning and preparation in January can make the return to school a lot easier. Written from the perspective of an Autistic student, this article goes through some of the things parents and carers can do to ease the transition back to school.

Sleep Schedule

For many students, the summer holidays are a time to stay up late and sleep in. Some students use it as an opportunity to catch up on sleep, and others may require less sleep throughout the holidays than they do during the school year. However, adjusting a sleep schedule can be difficult or just take time, and doing so during term can cause students to become overly tired. Beginning this adjustment during the holidays can help your child be ready for the earlier wake up times and be adequately rested for the return to school. Depending on the student, this can take time. Work out what works for your child and start adjusting sooner rather than later.

School Uniform

Many schools require a school uniform. For some Autistic students, school uniforms can pose sensory challenges. Heavy school shoes can cause blisters, and school socks may have seams that are uncomfortable, which can lead to sensory overwhelm.

For Autistic students, sensory overwhelm can impact school enjoyment, and even their ability to attend.

Summer is an ideal time to make sure the school uniform fits and feels comfortable. If there are elements of the uniform that are overwhelming for your child, talk to the school about whether adjustments can be made, such as wearing black sneakers instead of leather shoes, or wear their own socks.

Many students may feel stressed about getting in trouble for adjusting their uniform, even if they have permission, so ask the school to provide your child with a uniform pass to show teachers, and let all teachers know of the permission given.

Re-evaluating Subject Requirements

Secondary school students often face a demanding schedule, transitioning between multiple subjects daily. This can be overwhelming for Autistic students.

While some subjects are compulsory, parents can advocate for flexibility in their child’s curriculum. Take time to talk to the school and discuss exemptions from subjects that may not align with the students strengths or interests. The subjects decided as important/unimportant will differ depending on each child and family, but reducing the number of subjects required may allow your child to better engage with core classes or improve overall attendance by managing school demands.

Preparing for the New School Year

Lots of schools hold orientation days/weeks before the summer holidays for students to meet their new teachers and classmates. These can be super helpful for Autistic students to feel prepared for the year ahead and reduce the number of unknown elements to starting a new year. If your school doesn’t hold these orientations, it could be helpful to access information such as a class list and the names of the teachers your child will have.

If at all possible, organise to meet the teacher/s in advance so they can feel more prepared and so the teacher can get to know your child before the school year starts. These things can be helpful even if your child has participated in orientation as it can remind them of who is in their class throughout the holidays.

Lockers

If your child has a new locker, familiarize them with it in advance. Setting up their locker with supplies and a timetable before the school term begins allows them to practice using it and navigating to it without the stress of crowded locker bays.

If using a locker is difficult or stressful, you can request for a locker to be placed in a quiet area or for your child to store their books in a trusted teachers office. You can also request for your child to be allowed to carry their school bag to and from class to store their supplies instead of using a locker.

School Lunches

The summer holidays are a great time to brainstorm lunch ideas with your child and decide who will prepare the school lunches. If this is something your child would like to prepare themselves, practice preparing it during the holidays so they feel ready to do so during the term.

Preparing for the First Day Back 

The first day of term is often the hardest. Some students may want to arrive early on their first day to get settled before class, and others may want to arrive late to avoid the crowds of students. A gradual start, such as attending fewer days in the first week or starting with half days, can also ease the transition.

Organise with the school to approach the first day in the way that works best for your child.

Conclusion

Starting a new school year can be stressful, especially for Autistic students. However, with thoughtful planning and preparation, the transition can become significantly less daunting.

While not all suggestions may be applicable to your child, and some schools might have limitations, this article aims to provide ideas and spark conversations about ways to support your child’s return to school. By taking proactive steps, you can help create a smoother, more positive start to the year.