Back To School

Going back to school can be hard for any child, especially one diagnosed with autism. Here are some suggestions for making the transition back to school as smooth as possible:

1. Get a calendar for your child and mark the day school starts. Cross off the days as they pass leading up to that first day, reminding them each time how many days remain until school begins.

2. Include your child in back to school shopping: Allow the child to pick his or her new outfit, school supplies, or lunch box for the first day of school.

3. Try using these newly bought back to school items to role play the first day of school. You can pretend to be various adults (teacher, bus driver, etc.) that the child will have to interact with at school. This can help to get your child excited or at least reduce any anxiety that he or she may feel about returning to school.