Back to school: Tips to help autistic kids adjust to the new school year

Middle school student with books and backpack

It seems that no sooner is a summer routine established that it is time to go back to school. Any change in schedule is already a known stressor for autistic people. But a new school year is that plus a whole lot more. It typically comes with new teachers, new routines, maybe new classmates, or even a whole new school. 

So what is the best way to prepare your autistic student? We checked in with parents of kids across the spectrum, including frequent Autism Speaks contributor, Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, mom of two adult autistic sons, one with profound autism. Below are some tried and true tips she and others use to help with a smooth transition back to school and set everyone up -- including you, parents -- for a successful school year.

Tips to help autistic kids adjust to back-to-school 

  1. Talk to your child about school over the summer. Just because school is out of sight, it should not be out of mind. Talking about school is one way to help remind your child that school is an important part of their growth and life, and can also be especially helpful for those with anxiety. Talking about school can be as easy as reviewing something they learned the last year (a math lesson, a song in chorus, a science fact) to asking about something they hope to learn in the upcoming year to doing something more concrete, like going to the library and keeping up with summer reading.
  2. Keep a calendar and check it daily as part of your summer routine. Count down to the start of school. Crossing days off the calendar is one way to help your child better see when the school year starts. Consider putting fun markings on it and even celebrating the 30-day, 20-day and 10-day or one-week countdowns. 
  3. Create a list of and plan outings to buy new supplies. Talk to your child about picking out a new backpack, lunch box, water bottle, new play shoes, new first day of school outfit or whatever it is that they would like to have for the new school year. Plan a day, time and place(s) you want to go shop for the list. You do not need to wait for the school supply list the teacher sends, though when that comes, you should plan a time/outing to conquer it. 
    1. Bonus: As soon as you see school supplies show up in big box stores or wherever you shop, take your child out to just browse the supplies. No need to buy anything. Just let them see things are out there. It normalizes preparing to go back to school, makes it a community event, much like preparing for Halloween or any other holiday.
  4. At least two weeks prior to the start of school, switch back to a school night bed routine. Some parents surveyed for this said to never break from the school night bed routine. Others started doing it one month before school. All agreed on two things. One, the first couple nights can be hard but get easier. (It helps if you plan ahead and wake your child up early the night you are going to go back to the routine.) Two, put yourself back on the school night routine, too. 
  5. Take a tour of the new classroom/school. This can be arranged either through your guidance counselor or IEP case manager, if you have one. If possible, ask your guidance counselor or case manager, if you have one, for your child's schedule prior to your tour, and have your visit at the school follow that schedule. Check out if there are any sensory sensitivities or preferred seating options for your child in the classroom(s). If it is a new school, make sure to find out where the main office, nurse, bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, library, playground, and any other room is where your child may spend time. Take pictures to use as reminders or to incorporate into a social story, map or a visual schedule to use at home.
    1. Bonus: Find all emergency exits. Schools will be required to conduct routine drills and go through procedures but if you have a particularly anxious child or just one that wants a full lay of the land, point these out. Reassure them though that they are only for emergency use and that these are very rare.
  6. If at all possible, have your child meet their teacher(s) and any aide(s) prior to the start of school. If they are agreeable, take his or her photo to refer back to when you get home with your child.  
  7. Fill out an 'About Me' or create a similar profile to share with your child's teacher(s). Find one in our School Community Tool Kit. You should include your child’s strengths, weaknesses, any sensory issues, dietary restrictions, and favorite reinforcers. If possible, have your child help you create this document, as it will be invaluable input for school staff. 
  8. Share information with school community members from the principal to the custodian. Use the Handouts for School Community Members in our School Community Tool Kit to make sure all those interacting with your child have a basic understanding of autism and how they can help: school administrators, school nurse, security, paraprofessionals, bus driver, physical education teachers, music/art/technology specialists, lunch/recess aides, athletic coaches, office staff and custodians. 
  9. Ask to meet the bus driver, if your child will ride the bus. Many bus drivers take a practice run the last week of summer vacation.
  10. Ask to meet the school nurse. Autistic students are likely to be frequent flyers in the nurse's office due to co-occurring medical conditions. Consider with them whether to establish an Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHP or IHCP).
  11. If appropriate, have a behavior plan in place day one. Work with your guidance counselor or IEP case manager, if you have one, as well as any outside providers (therapists, support professionals, pediatrician, etc.) you have to create one if you think it is needed. If your child has a plan that’s been working for him or her, ask that it be shared with his or her new teacher and implemented immediately at the start of the year.
  12. If your child uses an augmentative augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to communicate, make sure all the adults in their classroom are familiar with it. Many devices require some instruction on how to use them. At the very least, there should be a plan in place so that the teacher and any aides are comfortable using the device by a certain date within the first few weeks of school.
  13. Create a daily school schedule/checklist for your child. A daily schedule should include everything from the time the alarm goes off in the morning to the time lights need to go out at night. Getting dressed, eating breakfast, grabbing a backpack and lunchbox, having a snack, doing homework, bathing and everything in between can all be listed, even broken out into categories: before school, during school, after school. There are several apps and built-in programs in laptops, tablets and mobile devices that can help with this. But a white board works just as well. Or even consider printing up weekly schedules shared on Sunday night just to have a hard copy that can be put up somewhere convenient or carried in a backpack.

After the school year begins 

Chase walking into school with a backpack and stuffed animal

Stay on top of your child’s progress. Make contact with all of your child’s instructors in the first few weeks of school, outside of Back To School or Welcome Back Nights. Ask them what is working/what is not and most importantly, if they have any questions. Keep the line of communication open. 

Recommended reading: Tips for effective parent-teacher communication

If possible, volunteer. Your presence at school sends the message that you are actively involved in your child’s education. 

Ask for help/seek out school district parent support groups. Requesting assistance shows that you are willing to learn and to try new things to help your child.

Last, but definitely not least, try to relax. All children can pick up on their parents’ anxiety. If you can keep yours in check, it will help your child stay more calm on that all-important first day and through the school year.

Everyone deserves the chance to reach their full potential. We need your help to tell lawmakers that improving education for children and young adults with autism is a priority for our community. Learn more about how you can get involved and help Autism Speaks.

Related resources

 

Kim McCafferty, mother of two sons with autism

Contributor Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty is a mother and author of a blog about her two children with autism, one with profound autism. She regularly writes about her sons' journeys through transition to adulthood and served as a parent advocate at Autism Speaks 2025 Advocacy Forum & Hill Day.

 

Autism Speaks does not provide medical or legal advice or services. Rather, Autism Speaks provides general information about autism as a service to the community. The information provided on our website is not a recommendation, referral or endorsement of any resource, therapeutic method, or service provider and does not replace the advice of medical, legal or educational professionals. Autism Speaks has not validated and is not responsible for any information, events, or services provided by third parties. The views and opinions expressed in blogs on our website do not necessarily reflect the views of Autism Speaks.