Autism and School Transitions: How to Soften the Hardest Moments
7 min read
Transitions cost autistic kids more than the activities themselves. Here's how to lower the cost.
Why transitions are so costly
Each transition is a mini reset: new sensory input, new social rules, new expectations. Autistic kids often need more time to predict, prepare, and downshift.
Support that actually helps
- Visual schedules with realistic timings
- Advance warnings, not surprise changes
- A trusted adult at school who knows the plan
- Sensory recovery time built into the day
- Permission to use a non-verbal signal