It may feel hard to believe, but it’s already time to start thinking about back to school! Whether your child is excited to pick out new markers or already dreading the return to routine, one thing’s for sure – the transition from summer to school is a big one.
For many kids, especially those with developmental, behavioral, or sensory differences, this time of year brings more than just new backpacks and early mornings. It can also bring anxiety, uncertainty, and even school refusal.
In this article, we’ll explore how small steps now can go a long way in helping your child feel more comfortable and confident on day one.
Back-to-School Tools That Make a Big Difference
Transitions are tough for a lot of kids. For children with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory processing challenges, the unknowns of a new school year can feel especially overwhelming.
That’s why preparation is key. When kids know what to expect, their anxiety goes down and their confidence goes up. There are several simple, powerful strategies that can help your child feel prepared for the school year.
1. Priming
Priming is talking with your child ahead of time about what’s going to happen. The more details you can provide, the better. Adults do this too! Think about how you might read reviews or look at photos before visiting a new restaurant or doctor’s office. That bit of preparation helps you feel more at ease, and it’s the same for kids heading into a new school year.
Try this:
- Review your child’s daily schedule a few days before school starts.
- Visit the school and point out where you’ll drop them off, where the playground is, and where they’ll line up to walk in.
- Talk about who their teacher is and what they’ll do in class.
2. Social Stories
Social stories are short, simple narratives that explain a situation and how to respond. They’re especially helpful for easing anxiety about new routines. Social stories can be made with pictures, text, or a combination of both.
Try this:
Create a story about your child’s first day of school. Include pictures if you can. Example:
“I will wake up and eat breakfast. I will put on my clothes and go to school. My teacher will help me. I might feel nervous, and that’s okay. I can take deep breaths and ask for help.”
3. Role-Playing
Practicing real-life situations in a low-stress environment helps kids feel more prepared when the real thing happens. It’s also fun, and can go a long way towards teaching appropriate school and social skills!
Try this:
Pretend you’re the teacher and act out parts of the school day – lining up, raising your hand, eating lunch. You can even switch roles and let your child be the teacher!
4. Visual Supports
Visual tools help make routines more predictable and understandable for kids. These supports can include picture schedules, checklists, visual timers, or “first/then” boards that show what’s happening now and what’s coming next.
Visual supports are helpful for many children, but they can be especially beneficial for neurodivergent kids or those with developmental delays, who may process visual information more easily than verbal instructions. When transitions or expectations are clearly laid out in a visual format, it reduces confusion, anxiety, and the likelihood of behavior challenges.
Try this:
- Create a visual morning routine chart showing each step (wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, brush teeth).
- Use a backpack checklist with pictures to help your child pack independently.
- Try a “first/then” board: “First we go to school, then we play at home.”
Back-to-School Anxiety: What to Watch For
It’s natural for kids to feel some nervousness as the school year begins. But for some children, anxiety can show up in more intense or disruptive ways. Children experiencing significant anxiety may complain of stomachaches, have emotional outbursts, or ask persistent “what if” questions about the school day. In more severe cases, this can develop into school refusal, where a child actively resists going to school.
Anxiety is a normal and necessary human emotion. It helps us stay alert and prepare for challenges. But when anxiety becomes excessive or interferes with daily functioning, it may be a sign that additional support is needed.
If your child’s anxiety is affecting their ability to enjoy school or daily life, child counseling can help. Professional counselors can help your child develop coping strategies, uncover underlying causes of anxiety, and build confidence and emotional resilience.
Tips to Ease Back-to-School Anxiety:
- Prepare. Check with your school to see if there is an opportunity to visit and meet the teacher before the first day of school. Most schools offer a “meet the teacher” or supply drop-off day. Let the teacher know if your child has experienced school anxiety in the past and what has helped alleviate it.
- Validate their feelings and build confidence. You might say, “I know this feels hard, but I believe in you – you can handle it.” Gently ask if they’d like to talk through some of the strategies they can use to feel calm, or remind them of what’s helped in the past when they’ve felt overwhelmed.
- Stick to routines. Consistency helps build a sense of safety. Try to follow the same nighttime and wake-up routines each day. It also helps to keep a weekly or monthly calendar (dry erase boards work great for this!), so your child can see what the plan is for the upcoming week.
- Use calming tools. Help your child build a personalized calm-down toolbox. This might include breathing exercises, calming music, fidget items, or quiet time with a favorite book or show. Practicing these tools ahead of time helps them feel more natural when anxiety spikes.
- Use a reward system. Support your child through back-to-school anxiety by reinforcing effort and progress, not just outcomes. For younger children, break the morning routine into small, achievable steps – like getting dressed or packing a backpack – and offer simple rewards for each completed task.
If your child is struggling with significant anxiety or school refusal, start even smaller by rewarding steps like getting into the car or walking to the school entrance. Small incentives, such as a favorite snack, sticker, or screen time, can help build momentum.
Over time, you can implement a weekly reward system to encourage consistency and celebrate their ongoing efforts with bigger choices, like a weekend activity or special privilege.
Understanding 504 Plans and IEPs: What Parents Should Know
If your child has a disability or developmental delay, they may qualify for extra support at school through either a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Here’s a quick overview:
504 Plan
- Provides accommodations (like extra time on tests or movement breaks)
- For kids with disabilities that impact learning, but who don’t need specialized instruction
- Example: A child with ADHD may get a quiet workspace or visual reminders
IEP (Individualized Education Program)
- A legal document that provides special education services
- Includes goals, accommodations, and support from a team of educators
- Example: A child with autism may receive speech therapy, OT, and social skills instruction
When and How to Ask for Help
If your child has struggled in previous school years, it may be time to ask for additional support. The same is true if they’re showing signs of school refusal, anxiety, or learning challenges. If your child has already received outside therapy, such as speech therapy (ST), occupational therapy (OT), or applied behavior analysis (ABA), and you believe they need additional support to succeed in school, you can formally request special education services from the school.
To begin the evaluation process, start by writing a letter or email to your child’s school principal or case manager requesting a formal evaluation for special education services. Be sure to include your concerns and any diagnoses or services your child has already received.
By law, the school is required to respond to your request within a specific timeline, typically within 14 school days, to either begin the evaluation process or provide a written explanation for denial. If they agree to move forward, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form, after which the school has 60 school days (in most states) to complete the evaluation and determine eligibility.
School vs. Private Therapy
School services are intended to support children in achieving academic success; however, they may not provide assistance if a child’s challenges do not interfere with their educational progress. Private therapy, on the other hand, can address a broader range of challenges, including those that impact life outside the classroom. Many families find the best results come from combining both school and private services, especially when there’s communication and coordination between the two.
Services at Westside
Westside Children’s Therapy offers comprehensive support, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy, child counseling, and more. As your family prepares for the back-to-school season, it’s a great time to ensure your child has the tools they need to succeed – both in and out of the classroom. Whether your child receives school services, private therapy, or both, our team is here to help them thrive.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your family.
