News and Knowledge

Lisa Savo is a school social worker currently serving in Pinellas County Schools, where she has worked for the past eight years. As the social work department’s autism spectrum disorders (ASD) specialist, she works directly with the ASD Student Support & Interventions School Team (ASSIST) providing trainings and professional development to teachers, social workers, and other school board employees. Savo is currently working towards her education specialist degree, as well as becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). She hopes to continue working with students and families in need.

As the summer comes to an end, students, parents, and educators alike anticipate the return to school. Whether beginning kindergarten or transitioning to high school, preparing for a new school year is filled with both excitement and anxiety. Thoughts of new teachers, new schools, uniforms, crowded hallways, school supplies, locker combinations, and schedules are just a few things that come up as students prepare to return to school.

For students with autism and their families, these situations can often bring on additional feelings of apprehension. As an educator, I know that my colleagues and I want a smooth transition from summer to a new academic school year for all children. Here are a few tips that can help accomplish that smooth transition.

Talk About It

Start talking to your child about going back to school, including the school name, classroom teacher, and any other important information you have about the upcoming school year. Count down the days until the start of school with a calendar. Try to eliminate some apprehension by making returning to school fun. If you can get a picture of the school or a picture of your child in front of the school, you can use that on the calendar to mark the first day back.

Visit the School

Most schools have staff on site during the summer months and would be willing to help support families and students with a tour of the school or setting up a meeting with the classroom teacher before school starts. If you don’t already know who your child’s teacher will be or what her or his schedule will look like, contact the school to explain your particular situation and ask to be notified when the decisions are made. Explain that this will help you prepare your child for the upcoming school year. If you are unable to contact anyone at the school, try accessing the school’s Web site. You will be able to find some basic information and possibly some pictures of the campus and staff.

Get Your Child Used to the Trip to and from School

Deciding how your child will get to and from school can be a difficult decision. Whether you will be driving your child to school or your child will ride a bus, getting your son or daughter used to the idea of where he or she is going and how long it might take can provide some security for them. Some schools might have the bus routes available, so contact the school to see if this information can be provided to your family. But please keep in mind that as new students enter or withdraw from school, these bus routes can change. If an assistant will accompany your child on the bus, contact the school to see if that person has already been assigned.

Introduce Before/After Care

If your child will be participating in before- or after-school care, it is important to include this information in conversations with your child. If the program is located on the school’s campus, see if a tour can be included when you visit the school. Or see if there is any information about the program on the Internet.

Create Social Stories

Creating a social story about returning to school may help your child prepare for the new school year. If you have never created a social story, use the Internet as a guide to find a template. You can then add or delete things to make it specific for your child, including visuals of the school, office, hallways, and possibly some staff members. You can make multiple social stories about different situations including riding the bus, eating in the cafeteria, making friends, and going to the nurse. If you have a tour scheduled, this might be a good time to take some pictures for visuals. You can also find information and possibly some pictures of the school by going to its website.

Use Role Play to Prepare

Roleplaying is a good opportunity for you and your child to explore how to handle social situations that come up while in school. For older children, try roleplaying situations such as: asking where their class is; how to read a schedule; and where to find the bathroom, cafeteria, or office. For younger children, role play situations such as: figuring out where the nurse is located; how to ask for help; and making friends. You should also role play how to find a safe adult, who may be the guidance counselor, social worker, or nurse.

Find Out about Uniforms

More and more schools are requiring uniforms, especially at the elementary level. If your child is entering a school for the first time or transitioning from elementary to secondary, find out if the school has a mandatory uniform policy, including what the policy is for shoes, socks, jackets, sweater, and gym clothes. Having this information beforehand will be beneficial if your child is sensitive to materials. If possible, you might want to pick up a few extra things to leave at school. We all know accidents happen, so being prepared and informing staff about your child’s clothing preference will be useful.

Provide the School with Identification

Regardless of your child’s age, make sure she or he has proper identification including full name, nickname, phone number, address, how she or he is getting home, medical history, and any other pertinent information school employees should know in the beginning of the school year. This is especially important for children who are non-verbal.

Communicate with Teachers and Administrators

It is important for educators to have an understanding of whom your child is and what they can do to help make your child’s school experience successful. Do not be reluctant to share any of your child’s behavior concerns with the classroom teacher. When discussing your concerns, offer suggestions for dealing with situations that might arise. For example, if you know your child gets upset when loud noises go off, letting the teachers know this bit of information will be helpful when planned fire drills are announced. It is also important to inform teachers about specifics like what upsets your child, foods he or she likes or dislikes, sensory concerns, and any other additional concerns you have. Most importantly, let the teacher know how she or he can help your child have a successful transition into a new school year.

Not all of these strategies will work for all children. As a parent, you know your child best so the most important thing to keep in mind is that working collaboratively with the school, teachers, and staff will help them create a successful, positive school year for your child.