Written by Dr. John Carosso
I'm sorry, but it's that time again, and your kids will be back in the classroom before you know it.
Summer vs. School Routine
Need I mention the difference between summer and school-year routines? If you start about 2-3 weeks out (or even a month out), it’s much easier to ship your kids into shape. Otherwise, it’s a culture-shock for your child, and not too pleasant for you either.
What to do (tips for parents of children with autism, and typical kiddos):
1. Begin slowly adjusting routines for earlier bedtime.
2. Incorporate lengthier study and quiet-reading sessions throughout the day and week.
This could include anything even remotely academic.
This could include anything even remotely academic.
3. Visit the school playground more frequently to promote your child becoming more
comfortable with being at school, and on the school grounds. This is especially important if your child will be going to a different school
comfortable with being at school, and on the school grounds. This is especially important if your child will be going to a different school
4. Arrange play-dates with school friends/acquaintances not seen for most of the summer,
especially those kids who will be in your child’s class or grade.
especially those kids who will be in your child’s class or grade.
5. If you can arrange a visit to the classroom, and meet the teacher, so much the better.
6. It can be helpful to color-code school supplies (notebooks, file-folders…). Integrate
material-color with picture schedule.
material-color with picture schedule.
7. Purchase school clothes early, wash them a few times, cut-off tags, and make sure your
child is comfortable with them well in advance.
child is comfortable with them well in advance.
8. Pick-out a “cool” outfit for the first day and get a fresh haircut (first impressions are
important).
important).
9. Use picture schedules and social stories to prepare for the first day.10. Prepare school with emergency contacts and any dietary issues.
11. Prepare the teacher, aide, Guidance Counselor, ‘specials’ teachers, cafeteria workers,
and anybody else who will listen for what to expect, and how to effectively intervene if
necessary.
and anybody else who will listen for what to expect, and how to effectively intervene if
necessary.
12. Don’t forget to say a prayer with your kids before they venture off to school; they find
that comforting and reassuring.
that comforting and reassuring.
13. Autism-Speaks also has some nice back-to-school bulletins (I especially like the ‘about
me’ activity):http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/community-connections/back-school-itstransition-time
me’ activity):http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/community-connections/back-school-itstransition-time
God bless and enjoy the rest of the summer
