Supporting an autistic student transition from primary to secondary school can be a crucial time for their academic and social development. Here are a few strategies that may help facilitate a successful transition:
Begin preparing the student for the transition well in advance and arrange for them to visit more than once before they start. Discuss with the new school whether a phased entry, for a few hours a day or a few days a week, will help and be possible at the start. Meet and take photos of any key people who will be involved in the student’s transition, and create a book they can refer to, to help relieve anxiety. Share social stories about what they will do and who they will meet.
Alongside photos, visual supports, such as coded timetables and site maps, will also help them understand what to expect and can reinforce verbal communication. Use clear language and show outcomes as well as the stages of a process. For example, if you are using a visual support to explain a bus journey to school, make sure you use pictures of the whole process, including arriving at school. Mark the day of the change on a calendar and encourage your student to count down to that day too.
Ask the student what matters to them, and collaborate with their parents or carers, teachers and support staff to develop an individualised transition plan. This plan should address the student’s unique needs, including any necessary accommodations, modifications, and supports. It should cover information about the student’s preferences, capabilities, difficulties and what causes them anxiety, as well as any strategies and behavioural approaches that have been successful in the past.
