Every year means adjusting from school to breaks and back again — but some years bring BIG CHANGE.
You know those milestones: switching from home or daycare to preschool, from preschool to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, and so on. It could even be transitions brought on by a move or transfer.
While change is tricky for everyone, it can be particularly uncomfortable for neurodivergent children. Here are basic tips, as well as insights specific to certain transitions, to help your child successfully tackle BIG CHANGE.
General tips:
- Prepare well in advance. Start discussing the upcoming change months ahead, if possible. Use visual aids, like calendars or social stories, to illustrate what’s coming.
- Familiarize your child with the new environment. Visit the new school or classroom multiple times. Take photos to create a visual guide they can refer to at home.
- Establish routines early. Gradually implement new routines (such as earlier bedtimes) before the transition occurs.
- Create a comfort kit. Pack familiar items (such as fidget toys and noise-canceling headphones) to provide security in the new setting.
- Celebrate small victories. Acknowledge each successful step in the transition process.
- Maintain open communication. Check in regularly with your child about feelings and concerns.
Strategies specific to major transitions (pick and choose as works best for your family):
Home/Daycare to Preschool:
- Practice separation, beginning with short periods away from parents and gradually increasing the duration.
- Create a visual schedule, with pictures showing the preschool routine.
- Role play, acting out preschool scenarios at home.
- Practice self-care tasks, such as putting on coats, using backpacks, and any bathroom adjustments that may be necessary.
- Establish a goodbye ritual that is consistent and comforting.
Preschool to Kindergarten:
- Focus on independence, encouraging dressing, packing lunch, and following multistep instructions.
- Playfully introduce academic concepts. Practice letters, numbers, and other basic skills. Online searches can provide many games, art/craft ideas, and other age-specific educational activities that children enjoy. Some children love to “play school.”
- Work on extending your child’s attention span, gradually increasing the time spent on single activities.
- Teach social skills. Role play making friends and sharing.
- Visit the kindergarten. Play on the school playground before school starts. Attend orientation events and meet the teacher, if possible.
Elementary to Middle School:
- Develop organizational skills, introducing planners and color-coded folders.
- Prepare for the switch to lockers. Let your child practice using a combination lock at home.
- Teach time management, using timers for homework and morning routines.
- Discuss puberty and social changes, preparing your child for physical and emotional transitions.
- Foster independence by encouraging self-advocacy and problem solving, and by providing opportunities for your child to earn more responsibility.
- Introduce technology. If applicable, get familiar with educational apps and online platforms.
Do you need more specific support? Pariva is passionate about delivering families help and hope. Our family support program helps families address behavioral or developmental concerns about a child (including autism, ADHD and other conditions); we also offer virtual diagnostic evaluations. No wait list, no referral needed.