Every August, the same thing happens in our house. Summer ends, and the autism back to school season begins.
For my autistic daughter, just hearing the word "school" can trigger anxiety. She uses mainly single words or short phrases, so when I mention school, her responses are usually: "No school!" and "I don't want school."
This happens every year. The change from summer's flexible routine to school's structured schedule is hard for her.
I've learned over the years that I need a simple, visual way to help her understand this transition is coming.
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The Simple 3-Card Visual Schedule I Used
Instead of lengthy explanations, I've found that a simple visual schedule works best for us. Over the years, I've tried different approaches, but this 3-card version is what works consistently.
Here's exactly what I put on my back-to-school visual schedule:
- ☀️ Summer card - A photo of a beach with the sun
- 🚌 School bus card - Simple yellow school bus image
- 🏫 Classroom card - Photo of a classroom with desks
No complicated sequences. No overwhelming details. Just three clear steps showing the transition from summer to school.
I use FirstThenBoard to create this online, so I can pull it up quickly on my phone or laptop. Having it digital means my daughter can see it clearly on any device.
How I Introduced the Visual Schedule
I don't create formal "lesson times" or sit my daughter down for explanations. That doesn't work for us.
Instead, I casually open the visual schedule a few times throughout the day when she's nearby.
My approach is always the same:
- Point to Summer card → "Right now, it's summer."
- Point to Bus card → "Then, school bus."
- Point to Classroom card → "Then, school time."
Sometimes I show it while she's playing nearby. Other times during snack breaks. I make sure she can see the screen, but I don't demand her attention.
I do this about 2-3 times per day for about two weeks before school starts.
What Happened After Using the Visual Schedule
Usually, after a few days, my daughter's anxiety around the word "school" goes away. When I say "school" in conversation, she doesn't react with upset responses anymore.
After using this approach for a few years now, I've noticed the visual schedule helps her build an understanding of the transition pattern. Each year, the cards still help reduce her initial anxiety, but she seems to grasp the concept more quickly than in previous years.
Sometimes she even points to school buses when we drive past, saying "School bus!" in a calm voice.
This 3-card approach works better for us than more complicated preparations I used to try.
Other Back to School Ideas That Help with Autism
The visual schedule is my main tool, but over the years I've tried other things too. Some years I use them, some years I don't - depends on how my daughter is doing and what seems needed.
Beyond the visual schedule, here are other strategies I've found helpful:
Shifting our home schedule early: Sometimes in August, I start moving our routine closer to school timing. Earlier bedtime, earlier wake-up time, and school-day timing. This can help.
Practice mornings: A few times I'll have my daughter get dressed in school clothes and pack her backpack, just to practice the routine. We do everything except actually leave for school.
Drive past the school: Sometimes we take "school drives" where we just drive by her building. No pressure to get out - just so she sees it.
Real photos in the visual schedule: If I can get current photos of her actual classroom, I add them to our board. Real photos usually work better than stock images.
Countdown calendar: Some years I make a simple countdown showing days until school. My daughter crosses off each day. She likes having control over it.
These are just ideas that have worked for us at different times. Every child is different, and what works one year might not work the next.
Key Takeaway
Every year, the autism back to school transition is hard. But I've learned that simple usually works better than complicated.
This 3-card visual schedule, along with some of the other ideas I try depending on the year, has made our transitions easier. Not perfect - but easier.
Your child might be completely different from mine. But maybe this will give you some ideas to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
I start showing the 3-card visual schedule about two weeks before school starts. This gives my daughter enough time to process the upcoming change without the information becoming stale or forgotten.
I don't force it. I show the schedule casually when my daughter is nearby - sometimes while she's playing or during snack time. I make it available without demanding attention. Even if she only glances at it, she's still processing the information.
Yes! While I use FirstThenBoard because it's always available on my phone, printed cards work just as well. Some children might prefer physical cards they can touch and manipulate.
Even though my child speaks in longer sentences sometimes, I keep the visual schedule simple. I find clear, easy-to-process information works better during a potentially stressful time. I save more detailed conversations for other times.
Every child is different. Some might need more cards showing additional steps (like "pack backpack" or "eat breakfast"). Others might need fewer cards or different images. I started with the basic 3-card approach and adjusted based on what worked for my daughter.
I typically phase it out once my daughter settles into the school routine, usually after the first week or two. However, I keep it available for particularly challenging mornings or after school breaks when we need to reestablish the routine.
This is exactly why I start with just the visual schedule - no lengthy discussions or preparations initially. If your child gets very upset, you might need to start even more gradually, perhaps showing just the summer card for a few days before adding the school cards.
I've used this approach with my child from when she was younger through her teenage years and it still works for us. However, every child is different, so parents would need to try it and see if it works for their specific situation.
Stock images or generic classroom photos work fine. I mention using real photos because they can be more effective in my experience, but don't let the lack of specific photos stop you from trying this approach. I focus on having clear, recognizable images that represent the concept of "school".
I notice my child becoming less anxious when I mention school, or she might start acknowledging the school bus or classroom images calmly. My daughter stopped saying "No school!" and doesn't get upset anymore - that was my sign it was working for us.
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