How to handle the back-to-school routine with children with autism spectrum disorder
Written by a young woman with autism spectrum disorder
translation: a. Sherine Khawaja
This article is narrated by Leanne, a young woman with autism spectrum disorder. Most adults would know how difficult the transition to school can be and we went through it every year as children. And yet some of us have to go through it every year with our children.
Navigating the back-to-school routine can be more difficult for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. They often have difficulty with social or academic changes or situations.
Here are some guidelines on how to make the back-to-school routine easier for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders.
Preparing in advance for the first day of school
Mark the first day of school on the calendar and show it to the child with ASD at home, This may help them better prepare for the upcoming change. You can also write on the calendar such as “First day of school for Muhammad,” “First day of school for Muhammad Primary School,” or “First day of school for Ahmed Middle School.” Make sure to do this in advance so that the child is prepared, but not too early so that he does not become nervous.
Meet and greet
Set aside a day to take your child with autism spectrum disorder to their school to meet their teachers and others who will be part of the educational team. Parents can also go to the orientation week that the school may organize. If the school does not have an introductory day, Or if you feel more comfortable meeting with their teachers one-on-one, Contact the school to see if this can be arranged.
Parents must ensure that teachers of a child with autism spectrum disorder are aware of his strengths and weaknesses, It is possible to explain this to his teachers. If he is a young man with autism spectrum disorder, you can encourage him to introduce himself and support him.
the rules
Parents should make sure that the child with autism spectrum disorder knows the rules he must follow at school. For example:
- Raise your hand if you want to say something
- Jogging during games or just on the field, And walking in other places and other times
- Adhere to the rules of dress and personal hygiene
- Show respect to everyone
- Do not use physical violence
- Do what your teacher, principal, or aide tells you (unless they want you to do something harmful or dangerous)
- Do the assignments in class
- Be in class and ready to work when the bell rings
- It may also be helpful to write a social story about these upcoming changes. It is useful for children with autism spectrum disorder, taking into account the use of language appropriate to the child’s level.
Attitudes
Make sure the child with autism spectrum disorder knows how to handle situations on their own. And when to ask for help from responsible people. Typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder may tell the person in charge even the simplest situations because they want to make sure everyone is doing exactly what they should be doing. at the same time, Typically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorder may not tell the person responsible for even the most serious problems. Because they think that doing so is a kind of gossip.
If any child or child with autism spectrum disorder in your family or at school tells you about a minor accident, Ask them some of these questions:
- Is it a safety issue?
- Are you sick or injured?
- Do you think someone else is sick or injured?
- Do you think this person will get into more serious trouble if you tell someone in charge? Or if you don’t tell someone responsible?
- Have you tried to deal with the situation yourself? If yes, Did you succeed?
- Are there any alternatives?
Some children may understand this after one or two reminders, While others may need reminding, The questions may aim to teach the child or child with autism spectrum disorder how to think because of their desire to inform the people responsible for mistakes caused by other people.
Secrets
Parents should make sure the child with autism spectrum disorder knows which secrets should be shared or which are best kept. And know how to share the secret and with whom to share it if necessary. Such as sharing harmful or dangerous secrets and keeping secrets that are not harmful or dangerous to the child.
If your child with autism spectrum disorder shares a secret that you feel is best kept, You can ask him questions like:
- Are you sharing this secret because you’re worried about your safety?
- Are you sharing this secret because you’re concerned for someone else’s safety?
- Will the other person get into more serious trouble if I share this secret? Or if you don’t share it?
If you feel that this is not the right time to share a secret, Or he’s not the right person to share this secret with, You can also ask questions like, “Is this the right time to share this secret?” Is this the right person to share this secret with?”
Justice and Equality
Ensure that the child with ASD has knowledge between “fairness” and “equality”. “Fair” means that everyone gets what they need or earn. “Equality” means that everyone is treated exactly the same way.
When children are younger, They are often taught that fairness means each child gets one cookie; Or they get four attempts at the game and are often not taught about the needs they want.
Riding the school bus for the first time
Parents must ensure that the child with autism spectrum disorder is prepared to ride the bus. You can do this by marking a calendar and displaying it so the child can prepare and talk about it.
Visual aids
Show the child with autism spectrum disorder pictures of school buses. Make sure the child knows when to get on and when to get off the bus.
Make sure the child knows that their bus will likely have a number or the name of the school district or bus company on it. This is important if they will be picked up or delivered somewhere other than your home.
Make sure they know that their bus may pick up or drop off students at other stops before or after theirs, And that some of the students on their bus might be children they’ve never met before. Try to make a list of other students the child knows on the bus.
Make sure the child with ASD knows the rules he or she must follow when riding the bus:
- Do whatever the bus driver or official tells you to do (unless they want you to do something harmful).
- Remain in the seat (with seat belt fastened, If possible) while the bus is moving.
- Do not use physical violence.
- Be respectful with everyone.
- Keep the bus lane clear.
- A social story for children with autism spectrum disorder about riding the school bus may be helpful. The social story must include the following:
- Bus rules
- Some pictures of school buses
- Bus warning signs
- Other children who will be on the same bus (such as children of the same age, neighborhood, or family).
- Things a child can do while on the bus (such as talking to other children, Or listen via headphones, or reading, Or play handheld video games and sit quietly)
Transition to middle school
A child with autism spectrum disorder must know that it will be different from moving to middle school in school. like:
- Change rows
- Lack of breaks in the day
- Start early in the day
- Various means of transportation
- Owning tanks
When the child is in primary school, Teachers, the principal, and other school staff are usually fairly organized when following and enforcing the rules. Because they realize that children at this age need this kind of organization.
But when the child moves to middle school, Employees may be more flexible regarding rules. This is because they realize that most children in this age group understand that the rules they have learned do not apply in every situation. Some teachers and school staff may not understand that this is still a challenge for children with autism spectrum disorder. So prepare the child in advance, So that he is not treated as if he is not ready for middle school.
Changes in daily life
Prepare yourself and your child for the physical, emotional and behavioral changes ahead. The child may have already begun to experience these changes.
When the child is in primary school, Some differences may be noticed in people (hair color, eye color, height, etc.), But in middle school, You may also begin to notice differences in behavior and personality, He may not take kindly to this matter.
Social stories are useful about this coming change, The social story could include the following: Early school start time (if possible), changing classes, and rapidly changing friendships, Owning tanks, Changes in the means of transportation, And some other changes that may occur.
Change school
If your child needs to change schools, Do some research about the school(s) you are considering for your child. This research will help you learn more about how these schools work, And what you will work to provide, And what resources it has available for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders.
If you know other children who attend or have attended the school(s) you are considering, Ask their parents about their experiences with the school. Their experiences and advice can provide a real source of insight into what school is like.
A child with autism spectrum disorder must be prepared in advance when changing schools. Parents can also activate a social story to help prepare the child for this change. You can say: “in the last year, I went to (name of school), In (town/city), But this year, You will go to (name of school), In (town/city).” In the beginning, Your child may miss his old school, He may want to return to it, But give him some time and after a while he may start to feel comfortable in his new school.
in conclusion
As we mentioned before, The back-to-school routine can be challenging for any child. But it can be especially challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders. Through this article, the above-mentioned guidelines can be applied to facilitate the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disorders.