LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the school year begins, bestselling autism author and parent Monica Holloway encourages families to begin preparing children for the start of a new school year because transitioning to a new school can be anxious times for children with autism.
Says Holloway, "Abrupt schedule changes can be difficult for kids on the spectrum but a few easy activities can help to ease the transition for our kids."
According to HealthCentral, starting early in transitioning your child to a new routine can make all the difference in easing apprehensions. Holloway suggests these tips on transitioning into a new school year for your child with autism:
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Visit the school. Take walks to the campus during non-school hours to become familiar with the school. When out in the community, show points of interests along the route of the school including nearby landmarks, the entrances to campus, the school office, and nearby playgrounds.
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Shop together. Make a list together if possible and obtain new school outfits and school materials together. This can be a therapeutic outing if necessary to encourage participation.
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Practice makes perfect. Practice bedtime at a new time, breakfast routines, wake-up schedules, and packing backpacks or lunch bags for the school day.
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Expect the unexpected. No matter how much we plan and prepare, it is important to anticipate an unexpected situation. Prepare your child, using visuals if necessary, for situations that may arise.
- Devise a plan. Speak with the teacher, administrator or aide to learn the daily schedule and to share any relevant information about your child that could help ease the transition to a new classroom.
Prepare your child and your family well in advance to make the transition into a new school year a smooth one. Autism Speaks offers a transition toolkit at: http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit. By starting early, you will help to ease anxieties and lessen apprehensions, helping your child to have a smooth transition.
ABOUT MONICA HOLLOWAY: Monica Holloway is the bestselling author of Cowboy & Wills, a Mother's Choice Award's Gold recipient, and the critically-acclaimed author of the memoir Driving With Dead People, described by Newsweek as "unforgettable," Glamour christened "a classic," and the Washington Post deemed "irresistible." Holloway lives with her son and husband in Los Angeles. http://www.monicaholloway.com/ https://www.facebook.com/cowboyandwills
ABOUT COWBOY AND WILLS: Cowboy & Wills, published by Simon & Schuster, tells the story of the golden retriever puppy that changed Monica Holloway's disabled son's life by becoming his first friend and coaxing him out into the world. http://www.cowboyandwills.com https://www.facebook.com/cowboyandwills