So, you’re nearing the end of the half-term holiday and those feelings of dread begin to build, as you wonder how your child with ASD or anxiety might be feeling and how you’ll manage getting him/her back into the school or college routine- afterall this is something you and they struggle with after any breaks in routine.
Raising awareness of why young people with autism and anxiety struggle with transition is important, but in this blog, I’m going to hit the problem ‘right between the eyes’ with practical strategies that you and your child’s school can implement, to ease your child back into the school routine.
As a parent of a child who struggled to go to school following weekends and holidays and now as a targeted support tutor for children with Asperger’s Syndrome, easing the transition back to school after the holidays, is a time of heightened stress- not just for your child, but for you and the rest of the family, too!
However, there are ways to reduce this feeling of impending doom and improve your child’s transition experience with advance consideration, planning and teamwork! Advanced planning involving you, your child and your child’s school, really can and does make a HUGE difference, to your child’s transition experience back in to school and the following tips, and strategies work beautifully, when everyone’s involved!
Meet and Greet!
Even before your child breaks up from school, make an appointment to see the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator. If you have a good relationship with her/him and they have a good understanding of your child’s needs, they’ll be as concerned about your child’s anxiety and as keen as you are, to support your child as fully as possible.
Ask for a member of staff who knows your child well, to meet and greet them on the first day back and perhaps share the first 20-30 minutes of the school day, enjoying a calming activity and a chat about their holiday and the day ahead, including a plan in case they feel ‘wobbly’ during the day. This will help your child to remain calm and less likely to ‘wobble’!
Reminding your child of this back to school plan, will help to reduce their anxiety ( and yours) on the morning.
Keep up the contact with peers.
Having spoken to lots of young people on their first day back, a common theme arises that has, or would have improved their confidence in returning to school- keeping in touch with friends.
This could be via an online platform, text or actually seeing each other in the flesh (God forbid!) but having some kind of school link and support, will be useful. If your child struggles with this, do support them with it and explain why it’s important. One of the most important things I’ve learned from working alongside young people with Asperger’s Syndrome, is the necessity and benefits that come from an explanation! When they understand why something is necessary and useful, they’re much more likely to engage with it.
Timetables- visual or otherwise!
A timetable of events can give a young person a much- needed overview of what is to come on their first week back in school, along with a day by day schedule of events.
You’ll already know that your child likes the predictability of knowing what to expect, particularly when there are changes, to their day and timetable and let’s be realistic here, in schools, things can and do change, be it a change of teacher or lesson, off time-table activities, offsite trips, sports days etc.
Although visual timetables (those using symbols from communication programmes such as ‘Communicate in Print) are recommended for young people. However, this level of visual support isn’t always necessary or suitable for all young people with Asperger’s Syndrome. Those who are that bit older, might appreciate adapted versions of their regular timetables. In my experience, involving young people in the design of an adapted timetable, makes them more meaningful and gives opportunities for them to discuss and ask questions along the way.
It’s a good idea for you to share and discuss the overview timetable, at a suitable time before returning to school. This way, they’re well prepared and know what’s coming!
From there, a day by day sequence of events can be used. Again, discuss these with your child the night before and on the day itself. You really will find that these help set them up for the day and week ahead!
Finally, but just as importantly, ensure that your child follows the same routine as they would on any other school morning, but be prepared to give those extra words of encouragement!
Success lies in the planning- good luck!
Patsy x