September marks a season of change—new teachers, classrooms, and daily rhythms. For children with autism, these transitions can bring excitement but also a lot of challenges. Parents and caregivers often play the most important role in helping kids feel prepared and supported, while schools work hard to create inclusive environments that meet every child’s needs. By combining strong home routines with autism-affirming school strategies, we can help children start the year feeling confident and ready to learn!
Why School Transitions Are Challenging for Children with Autism
A systematic review of school transitions for autistic children shows that change is often stressful because of sensory demands, shifting expectations, and differences in communication and expectations between home and school. Researchers note that preparing children early, collaborating closely with educators, and introducing visual supports can make a meaningful difference.
Another study on inclusivity in education found that many schools rely heavily on teaching assistants and lack autism-specific training for staff, which can leave students feeling unsupported. These findings highlight how critical it is not only for families and schools to partner together to smooth transitions, but for early intervention like our Kickstart Program to help set up children for success in school.
Tips for Parents: Supporting Smooth Transitions at Home
Parents can ease back-to-school stress by creating predictable routines and practicing essential skills at home. Here are a few strategies:
1. Practice Morning and Evening Routines
Use visual cues to walk through each step of your child’s day, from waking up to getting ready for bed. Practicing routines now can reduce anxiety and create a sense of predictability.
2. Build Independence Gradually
Encourage your child to practice skills like dressing themselves, organizing their backpack, and packing snacks. Small steps toward independence can help mornings run smoothly and give them a boost in confidence.
3. Strengthen Social Comfort
Arrange small playdates or trips to the park to help your child get used to group settings again. Practicing greetings, sharing, and taking turns helps make the return to school social life less overwhelming.
4. Collaborate With Your School Team
Connect early with teachers, aides, and specialists. Sharing your child’s strengths, communication preferences, and needs helps educators create supportive, individualized plans. Early collaboration helps everyone feel prepared to create a positive learning experience.
5. Create a Calming After-School Routine
School days can be tiring and overstimulating. Build in quiet, relaxing time after school to help your child decompress and regulate before diving into homework or evening activities. Maybe a quiet activity or a favorite snack.
How kin:pathic Helps Schools in Our Community
Research the University of Pennsylvania shows that early childhood programs that resemble our Kickstart model yield long-term benefits, with a return of $7–$12 for every $1 spent. Yet many districts still struggle to provide truly individualized, autism-affirming environments due to resource constraints and systemic barriers.
Our Kickstart for Classrooms model is designed for preschool and kindergarten students who need additional readiness support. We help districts bridge gaps by:
- Providing ABA-trained professionals to support preschool and kindergarten students.
- Offering direct small-group and 1:1 support for students with higher needs.
- Coaching teachers and paraprofessionals in autism-specific strategies.
- Building sustainable inclusion systems to strengthen classrooms long-term.
With the right tools and training, schools can create smoother transitions and stronger learning environments for every student.
When Home Strategies Aren’t Enough
Even with great routines at home and strong school support, many families find their child struggling with after-school meltdowns, unfinished homework, or difficulty winding down from busy days. Sometimes, extra structure and support is what makes the difference.
Results Parents Can Expect to See With ABA Therapy:
- Express their wants and needs and build connections with others
- Learn independence and daily living skills like getting dressed, eating meals, and using the bathroom
- Teach calming strategies and coping tools for smoother days at home, school, and beyond
kin:pathic offers more than therapy—we’re a partner for families and educators alike.
Curious to learn more about us?
We’re proud to be clinical owned and operated while advocating and making a difference in our local communities in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Looking to start services?
We’re here to walk this journey with you, whether you’re seeking services, guidance in advocating for your child, or ongoing resources to help your family thrive.
References:
Cohen S., Joseph K., Levinson S., Blacher J., & Eisenhower A. “My Autism Is My Own”: Autistic Identity and Intersectionality in the School Context
Hasson L., Keville S., Gallagher J., Onagbesan D., & Ludlow A. Inclusivity in education for autism spectrum disorders: Experiences of support from the perspective of parent/carers, school teaching staff and young people on the autism spectrum
University of Pennsylvania Social Policy & Practice. Applied behavioral intervention (e.g., Head Start–style models) yields returns of $7–$12 per $1 spent
