Children with autism can struggle with change, and the shift to kindergarten can be overwhelming. Explore eight tips to help your child ease into school.
Alex Hurtado
Neurodiversity Advocate
Kindergarten is an exciting time in your child's life. However, navigating the transition can be overwhelming, especially for children with autism spectrum disorder. A change in routine, sensory overload and being in an unfamiliar place can lead to stress and anxiety. Thankfully, the proper preparation can ensure your little one is confident and excited for their first day.
Continue reading to explore eight tips for preparing your child with autism for school. Additionally, learn how ABA therapy can prepare your child for kindergarten and give you peace of mind about their readiness.
One of the best things you can do for your child is to prepare them for school weeks before it starts. Children with autism often have difficulty with changes in routine. Preparing in advance can ease anxiety they may experience on their first day. Since every child is unique, finding what works best for yours might take trial and error. But with some encouragement, you can get them excited for their new journey.
Here's how to prepare your child with autism for kindergarten:
Talk to your child about the changes they will experience in the weeks before kindergarten. Your conversations should center around what to expect in the upcoming school year, the changes in routine they'll encounter and the new people they'll meet. Set expectations together and cross days off your calendar so they better understand when the school year starts.
Frequent communication and planning can reduce anxiety, as your child knows what to expect and can mentally prepare.
A consistent daily schedule can also help your child feel safe and secure. Create a routine and run through it near the end of summer vacation. Your routine might include waking your child a little earlier each morning to acclimate to the new wake-up time before the big first day. You can also have your child practice getting dressed, brushing their teeth, eating breakfast and heading outside as if they're about to get on the bus.
Just walking through one “sample” day can help your child feel more at ease and prepared for their first day.
Social stories are short, personalized stories that can help children with autism understand social situations and how to help them. Created by Carol Gray in 1990, social stories aim to reduce stress and challenging behaviors while promoting self-awareness and self-calming. Use pictures of your child's school and teacher to create your social story. Use positive language and answer where, when, who, what, how and why when your child starts school.
For instance, you might describe where your child will be going, when school starts, who they'll encounter, what they'll do, how to prepare and why they are going. Social stories can prepare them for new faces and places on their first day.
Find ways to make your child's transition to kindergarten enjoyable and exciting. Make purchasing school supplies and clothes a fun event. If possible, incorporate sensory-friendly supplies and tools, like fidget spinners, to help your child cope. Make sure their new school clothes are comfortable and that they break in their new shoes in time for school.
By making planning fun, your child may realize they have nothing to worry about and start looking forward to their first day.
To help your children become familiar with their new school, arrange a visit to the building before the school year starts. Predictability and familiarity can lessen your child's worries and make them feel more comfortable in their new environment.
Visit the rooms your child will spend the most time in, such as their classroom, the cafeteria, the playground and the gym. Have your child meet their new teacher, take pictures at the school and incorporate them into your social story.
You might also walk through emergency procedures on your visit. Many children with autism have trouble with loud noises and changes, so you might have your child's case manager show them where they'll go and what to do in an emergency.
Sensory tools are vital for children on the spectrum who struggle with sensory overload. Ensure your child has their sensory item on the first day to turn to in times of need. Objects like a fidget spinner, a favorite stuffed animal or a stress ball can offer a great deal of comfort. Having access to their sensory item can help them work through anxiety in school.
As you likely know, keeping noise levels low and using tools to reduce overstimulation is a powerful way to reduce your child's stress. While this is always crucial, creating a calming home environment is especially important in the weeks leading up to school. Your child will be surrounded by loud sounds, bright lights and other sensory stimuli in school, which can be overwhelming. Getting them in the right head space can help reduce anxiety before it starts.
Keep sounds low and use sound machines or white noise apps to reduce overstimulation. Limit screen time, especially before bed, so your child isn't exposed to bright colors and flashing lights. With stress and anxiety levels low, your child will have an easier time transitioning into their new routine.
Before the school year starts, connect with school leadership and support staff to learn about the school's accommodations for children with autism. Set up a communication plan with your child’s teacher and any aides working with them. Provide information about your child and their diagnosis, possible sensory issues, dietary restrictions and favorite reinforcers. If staff is inexperienced with teaching children with autism or have questions, offer helpful resources that have worked for your child.
Consider kindergarten-readiness programs for children with autism. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy can give your child the tools to transition into school. Atlas Autism Health's evidence-based early intervention program can help your child develop the fundamental skills they need to be successful in a school environment. We use play-based learning that combines the principles of ABA therapy with early childhood developmental science.
Our comprehensive program is designed to help your child build the cognitive, social, emotional, language and motor skills needed to succeed in elementary school. For instance, we can help your child learn new words, interact socially with peers, work independently and transition between activities.
Children with autism can encounter different obstacles when transitioning to kindergarten. Preparing well in advance can ease your child's anxiety and encourage a positive school experience. If you need additional help, consider Atlas Autism Health's kindergarten-readiness programs for children with autism. Our play-based learning approach can foster your child's social and cognitive development while helping them build confidence and independence.
These early intervention methods can make your child's transition to school more accessible and enjoyable. Contact us today to learn how our program can support your child’s kindergarten readiness.
Reviewed by:
Laura Barnes
MS, BCBA, LBA
Laura has 14 years of BCBA experience that involves leading clinical teams and designing seminars and workshops for clinicians and families. She serves as the Senior Clinical Director of Atlas and is dedicated to learning from all and disseminating all that she learns.
Authored by:
Alex Hurtado
Neurodiversity Advocate
Alex partners closely with neurodiverse families, clinical experts, and advocates to bring you helpful guides.