School will be here before you know it!

It may feel like summer just started, but in about a month, children across Washington will be heading back to the classroom. While many families wait until the week before school starts to think about routines, autistic children often benefit from gradual preparation well in advance.

At Thrive ABA Therapy, we encourage families to begin frontloading the transition back to school several weeks before the first day. Taking small, manageable steps now can reduce anxiety, make mornings easier, and help your child start the school year feeling more confident and successful.

Why Do Autistic Children Benefit from Gradual Transitions?

Many autistic children thrive on predictability and routine. Summer often brings later bedtimes, sleeping in, vacations, and different daily activities. While these changes can be enjoyable, switching back to a structured school schedule overnight can be difficult.

Preparing ahead of time gives your child an opportunity to adjust gradually instead of experiencing multiple changes all at once.

Benefits of preparing early include:

• Reduced anxiety about returning to school
• Easier morning routines
• Improved sleep quality
• Better attention and learning during the first weeks of school
• More opportunities to practice new routines before they become necessary

Start Adjusting Sleep Schedules 1–2 Weeks Before School

One of the biggest challenges families face is returning to an earlier wake-up time.

Instead of making a dramatic change the night before school starts, gradually shift your child's schedule over one to two weeks.

For example:

• Wake your child 30 minutes earlier for two days.
• Then move wake-up time another 30 minutes earlier.
• Continue adjusting every couple of days until you've reached the school-year schedule.

As wake-up times become earlier, begin moving bedtime earlier as well. Consistent sleep routines help children fall asleep more easily and wake feeling rested.

Try to keep bedtime routines predictable by including calming activities like:

• Bath time
• Reading books together
• Listening to calming music
• Gentle stretching
• Dimming lights before bedtime

Consistency is often more important than perfection.

Bring Reading Back Into the Daily Routine

If reading has become less structured over the summer, now is a great time to rebuild the habit.

Reading together every day can help children:

• Practice listening skills
• Increase attention
• Strengthen language development
• Prepare for classroom expectations

Choose books your child enjoys, even if they want to hear the same story repeatedly. Familiar books often provide comfort while still supporting language and literacy skills.

Slowly Reintroduce Learning Activities

The goal isn't to recreate school at home.

Instead, spend 10–20 minutes a day practicing fun educational activities such as:

• Coloring or handwriting practice
• Puzzles
• Counting games
• Letter recognition
• Matching activities
• Fine motor crafts
• Educational board games

Keep activities short, positive, and engaging.

Review Visual Schedules

Visual supports can make upcoming changes much more predictable.

If your child uses visual schedules, begin incorporating one into your day again. Include activities like:

• Wake up
• Get dressed
• Breakfast
• Brush teeth
• Play
• Reading
• Lunch
• Outside time
• Bedtime

As school gets closer, start replacing summer activities with school routines so your child can see what their future days will look like.

Some families also benefit from using:

• Visual timers
• First-Then boards
• Countdown calendars
• Picture schedules

These supports can reduce uncertainty and help children understand what to expect.

Talk About School in Positive Ways

Many autistic children feel less anxious when they know what to expect.

Spend time talking about:

• Who their teacher will be
• Their classroom
• The playground
• Lunch
• Recess
• Favorite school activities
• Friends they may see again

If possible, drive by the school or visit the playground before school begins. Seeing familiar places ahead of time can make the first day feel less overwhelming.

If your child's school offers an open house or classroom visit, consider attending if it feels like a good fit for your child.

Practice Independence Skills

Back-to-school season is also a great time to practice everyday routines such as:

• Putting on shoes independently
• Wearing a backpack
• Opening lunch containers
• Washing hands
• Using the bathroom independently when appropriate
• Hanging up a coat
• Following a simple morning checklist

Practicing these skills now can increase confidence once school begins.

Prepare for Sensory Needs

School environments are often much louder, busier, and more stimulating than home during the summer.

If your child has sensory sensitivities, consider practicing with:

• Wearing headphones
• Carrying a comfort item if permitted
• Taking movement breaks
• Using calming breathing strategies
• Following a sensory routine before leaving the house

Every child is different, so think about which sensory supports have helped your child in the past.

Remember: Small Changes Add Up

Preparing for school doesn't need to happen all at once.

Making one small change every few days can make the transition much smoother than waiting until the last minute.

Children often feel more successful when routines become familiar before they're expected to follow them every day.

How ABA Therapy Can Help with School Transitions

For many families, the weeks before school provide an excellent opportunity to practice routines with the support of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

At Thrive ABA Therapy, our direct BCBA model means your child works directly with an experienced BCBA during every session—there are no behavior technicians. We help children build the practical skills they'll use throughout the school day, including following routines, increasing independence, transitioning between activities, improving communication, and developing emotional regulation skills.

Whether your child is entering preschool, kindergarten, or returning to elementary school, preparing ahead of time can make the start of the school year less stressful for the entire family.

If you're looking for in-home ABA therapy in the Seattle area, Thrive ABA Therapy provides individualized, neurodiversity-affirming services that meet children where they are and help them build meaningful skills in their everyday environments.