Support for Christian parents of autistic children heading off to a new school this September

Transitioning to a new school is hard enough without the additional complexity of autism - Lynn McCann helps parents navigate a doubly difficult time

It is the time of year when many parents are looking forward to the new school year. Children’s summer holidays seemed to last a long time when I was a child, but as a parent, I was always thinking in the back of my mind about preparation for going back to school. New shoes, new uniform, new lunch boxes, new classrooms and new teachers…the list seemed endless.

For some autistic children and for their parents it’s just enough to be able to take the next breath

For many parents of children with autism and other additional needs there are many more things to be thinking about. Every child with additional needs is an individual but there are some common additional issues for those families at this time of the year.

• Fear of unpredictability. Uncertainty can induce huge anxiety for many children with additional needs.
• Sensory anxiety about new places, people, clothing, routes, classrooms, seating plans, smells, food, displays etc.
• A strong need for routine, which is facing change.
• Many families face changes and lack of communication about school transport.
• Having to remember people from 6 weeks ago and pick up those relationships.
• Fear of the battle to get your child’s needs understood and met. Some will not have a school place to go to or have a child who is in burnout, traumatised and unable to go to school.

Why are transitions so difficult?

Autistic young people are often ……