How to Prepare an Autistic Child for School

According to the California Department of Education, "Autistic individuals thrive best in an environment where things are predictable." Autistic children facing school for the first time or after a summer of freedom can have a tough time adjusting to the school schedule. With some early planning, you can prepare an autistic child for school without putting him under a lot of stress.

Things You'll Need

• Pictures of your child's new school
• Tours and walkthroughs of the new school
• School clothes
• Backpack

Instructions

1. Show your child pictures of his school and, if possible, his new teacher. As you show the pictures, talk positively to the child.

2. Take your child on a tour of her new school when there aren't a lot of other children around. Registration days for the general public aren't a good time to bring your child to school.

3. Adjust your child's bedtime schedule in increments to prepare him for new school hours. Try adjusting the times by 15 minutes until you get bedtime right.

4. Add school preparations to the night-before routine. For example teach your child to lay her school clothes out and get her backpack ready even before school starts.

5. Prewash all school clothing and remove irritating tags that could irritate the skin. Autistic children are very sensitive to touch. Use a fabric softener that has a smell he is familiar with.

References

• California Department of Education