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As summer break winds down, transitioning back to school can be challenging, particularly for children with autism who thrive on consistency. During the summer, our routines drift, and we tend to stay up later, sleep in more, and stray from our regular routines. By August, it’s important to begin preparing for a smooth transition back to school.  

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) offers effective tools to help children and youth adjust to changes in their routines. These strategies require planning, preparation, and support. These ABA tools can increase appropriate behaviour during the transition, increase class participation, and reduce anxiety about returning to school. 

1. Social Narratives/Scripts 

Social Narratives, or Social Scripts, are a valuable ABA strategy that can significantly benefit your child returning to school after summer vacation. These narratives are customized stories that describe various social situations, helping children understand what to expect and how to respond. As the school year approaches, parents and caregivers can create social narratives that introduce the child to their new teacher, classroom, playground, and daily activities.  

For those transitioning to a new school or classroom, it’s recommended that you visit the school beforehand, if possible. This will help your child familiarize themselves with key locations, such as where the bus will pick them up, their classroom, and other key areas like the cafeteria and playground. This walk-through can reduce anxiety by making the unfamiliar more predictable. Watch this video to learn how to pack a backpack with Kinark Kreates. 

2. Visual Schedules 

Visual schedules use pictures, symbols, or words to represent tasks or activities. Creating a visual schedule that reflects the school routine—such as waking up, getting dressed, and going to school—can ease the shift back to school. Involving your child in creating the schedule gives them a sense of control and helps them understand what to expect. Learn how to make your own visual schedule by watching our Kinark Kreates video: DIY Visual Schedules. 

3. Time Reminders 

It can be helpful to remind your child about the upcoming school year as early as possible. Mark the first day of school on a calendar and frequently remind them of its approach. Gradually reintroducing routines can ease the transition, as sudden changes often lead to more resistance.  

Timers can be an effective tool in helping children understand when an activity is ending and when it’s time to move on to the next one. Parents and caregivers can use visual timers to show how much time is left for activities like playing with toys or watching TV before the start of school. This visual cue helps children anticipate transitions, reducing anxiety and stress associated with sudden changes. Timers help children better understand the concept of time and become more independent in managing their daily schedule.  

4. First-Then Boards 

First-Then Boards break down the school day into manageable steps and can help your child cope with challenging tasks. Parents and caregivers can use a First-Then Board to outline the sequence of events for the day.  

For example, place a non-preferred task, like homework, in the “First” category, followed by a preferred activity, like playing with toys in the “Then” category. This can motivate your child or youth to complete the task, reducing frustration and anxiety, as they will have a clear understanding of what they need to do. This tool promotes a sense of predictability, independence and self-regulation, which are all essential components for successful school transitions. Watch this video to create a First-Then board with Kinark Kreates. 

5. “All About Me” Booklet 

Creating an “All About Me” Booklet is a fun way to get your child excited about school while helping peers and teachers learn about them. This booklet can include what the child enjoys, their strengths, dislikes, and how they learn best.  

Involving your child in its creation fosters a sense of ownership and pride, allowing them to express themselves in a fun and creative way. Sharing it with teachers and classmates helps build a supportive environment. Additionally, setting up a communication book with the school provides a structured way for ongoing communication between caregivers and teachers, ensuring that any challenges are addressed collaboratively throughout the school year.  

6. Break Cards 

Break Cards are incredibly helpful tools for children returning to school, allowing them to communicate when they feel overwhelmed and need to step away from an activity or environment that is causing stress. Teaching your child to use break cards builds essential communication skills, particularly for those who may struggle to express their needs verbally. This helps them manage their emotions, reducing the likelihood of frustration or meltdowns. This proactive approach supports your child’s well-being, fostering a sense of autonomy, making transitions throughout the school day more manageable. 

7. Reinforcement 

Lastly, reinforcement is a key ABA strategy that ties together all the tactics used to help your child transition back to school smoothly. Parents and caregivers can encourage desired behaviours, such as using a visual schedule, asking for breaks with a break card or following a social narrative by consistently reinforcing these behaviours with praise, tokens, or preferred activities. This will increase the likelihood of your child or youth repeating these actions, and not only supports the return to school but also builds a foundation for long-term success in navigating changes and challenges.   

These ABA tools can make a significant difference in supporting Autistic children during the transition back to school. Each child is unique, so it’s important to tailor these tools to their individual needs. With consistency and patience, parents and caregivers can create a nurturing environment that enables their children to thrive in their academic journey. The return to school can be a time of growth and development when approached with empathy, understanding, and the right tools. 

For more tips on transitioning back to school, check out our Transitioning to School video. 

Interested in Group-based Services, but don’t know what to expect? Read our blog, Embracing the Benefits of Group-based Services. 

Learn more about our ABA services at kinarkautismservices.ca.