Transition to school important for children with autism

The end of summer always seemed to come too quickly for teachers. Parents, however, often felt school hadn’t come soon enough. That is because their children had become bored after the first few weeks of vacation. However, for children with autism, the radical change between summer and the school year can be overwhelming.

This certainly was the case last year for Isabel and Gus’s son Toby. Toby had qualified for the extended service year (ESY). ESY was only for the month of June. However, by July and August a child with special needs such as Toby became used to a routine without school.

Toby had classic autism. He did not do well with change. By early August, Toby’s mother knew she had to start preparing her son for school. Those preparations included getting her son up earlier and earlier every day a few weeks before school began. She had already started taking Toby by his school. That was a problem in itself. Toby was beginning first grade. He was going to have a new teacher and a new school. The changes this little boy was about to go through were very significant.

The boy needed help to transition from not only summer to the new school year. Toby also needed assistance to adjust to a new teacher and a different school. Toby was just 6 years old.

Gus and Isabel had talked to the new school about their concerns late in June of the previous school year. The principal had introduced them to Toby’s teacher. After spending some time together, they had developed a plan of action as a team. Their objective was to find a way to help Toby shift into his new setting with the least amount of difficulties.

Toby did not like any unexpected changes to his routine. Unexpected was the key word for Toby. During the school year, Toby was used to a daily schedule. It visually displayed a routine that he grew used to. The parents tried to use the same approach for the summer months. However, they had not always followed a visual schedule at home. Yet, for the most part, Toby knew what to expect each day at home.

A few weeks before school began, Isabel pulled out Toby’s school schedule. The mom knew that Toby did well with lots of visuals to help him know what was next. For example, Isabel had pictures on his schedule for hygiene and breakfast for the early morning activities before school. A car was placed as the third item on his schedule. Toby knew that he went to school by car in the morning and by bus in the afternoon.

Toby’s mother began to take the boy to school two weeks before it started. At first, this change in routine became a struggle, as Toby did not want to change from his summer activities. Isabel had a "First/Then" schedule to help Toby transition with immediate rewards. Toby loved going to McDonald’s for a "mango icee." His mother knew that he would usually behave for that particular reward. It wasn’t easy but over time, Toby was getting up early once again. He even visited his classroom several times, too.

Even with all the preparation, the actual first day of school was not that easy for Toby. He wanted to go home when he noticed all the children at school. Once Toby saw his daily schedule, he calmed down some. Yet, after a while, Toby became agitated and refused to do any more activities. The teacher knew that Toby needed frequent breaks and rewards during the first few weeks of school. Toby required time to adjust to all the changes.

Sensory time was a lifesaver for the boy. Toby loved to play with tiny figurines on a big beanbag. He did better on the floor for his academics, too. So the teacher and staff moved his academics to more sensory-based locations. Gradually, his discomfort with the changes decreased and his behavior improved. Toby’s communication and ability to read gradually got better during the year, too. As the school year came to a close, Isabel and Gus knew that they needed to start getting things ready for the next school year. At least this time, Toby’s teacher and school would not be changing.

Pamela Gross Downing, a special education teacher, can be contacted at downpamg@aol.com.