Coping with anxiety about school

Back-to-school time can be particularly challenging for families with children on the autism spectrum. One of the biggest hurdles they face during the first days back to school is getting dressed. Spectrum Tailored Technologies Founder, Rachael Malthouse and Occupational Therapist and SEND Specialist, Gemma Carlier both have autistic children. In this blog they share their insights and strategies for managing the back-to-school routine.

Proprioceptive activities - working muscles and joints can help with self-regulation. Strategies such as having a mini-movement break before and after school. Activities such as jumping, wall pushes, tug of war, or lava islands can be helpful. Joining in with your child or encouraging siblings to join in the fun can help them get the most out of these strategies!

Breathing games are also a good way to support children to reduce anxiety symptoms. This might include blowing bubbles, using tools such as lazy 8 breathing (Zones of regulation) or blow football using a straw, a ping pong ball and a mini homemade goal.

Using strategies like these before and after school is important because cortisol levels (stress hormone) may rise throughout the day when a child does not have access to strategies to enable them to cope with the sensory challenges they may face in a busy classroom. People often refer to a pressure cooker effect, with meltdowns often being experienced at home, after a day at school. To support a child to regulate after school is equally important as managing anxiety before attendance.

Maintaining a fun and positive morning routine also helps, though this can be easier said than done! Gemma also recommends you ensure you give yourself plenty of extra time in the mornings and remember that it’s okay if some days feel more difficult than others—this is completely normal.

Jam Up! can make the back-to-school routine smoother by providing support through a cute virtual pet that guides your child through each step of getting dressed. They also offer parent and carer education and support videos, designed and delivered by healthcare professionals, to help make this transition as smooth as possible. Please check out their website and sign up to learn more.