Changing Schools When Your Child Has Asperger's Syndrome

If you moved recently, or if your child is ready to leave elementary school behind, you are undoubtedly looking for a new school your child might attend. The first day of class is always a challenge for any child, but since your child has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, you know that she or he has additional challenges to contend with. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do ahead of time that will make the transition easier on your child. Mind you, it will not be stress free, but by and large it will enable the child to get a lot out of the new setting without falling victim to the apathy that seems to go hand in hand with stressful situations.

Tips and tricks for parents with Asperger’s Syndrome children who will find themselves in new educational setting are plentiful, but perhaps the most important five can be summed up.

1. Plan the transition ahead of time. There are plenty of times when parents forget to sign up their child with a new school quickly, and the result may be that the child spends a few days at one school and then transfers to another because space was not available. In the same vein, late signups may lead to a switch in classrooms and other situations that could be avoided. Being on the ball for your child counts! 2. Prepare the child in advance for the situation she or he is going to face. Explain why the change is taking place, and point out the advantages this change will bring. Be honest and upfront about the new schedules, the new route the child will take when going to school, and also how routines are likely to change when school starts up again. 3. Visit the school ahead of time. Asperger’s Syndrome causes your child to experience a great fear of the unknown. Since you have the ability to allay many of these fears, it is up to you to ensure you do all that is possible to make sure your child feels confident about the up and coming changes. For example, this might involve you driving the new route with the child a number of times. Start fostering a sense of familiarity about the situation and you will be rewarded with a much more confident child come the first day of school. 4. Make an appointment at the new school and let your child tour the campus, classroom, and also practice the route to the bathrooms and cafeteria. A lot of anxiety comes from not knowing what to do and how to do it. When taking care to tackle these issues one at a time, your child will be a confident first time student at the new school. 5. If at all possible, privately discuss your child’s Asperger’s Syndrome and its symptoms with the teacher scheduled for your child’s next class. It is imperative that he or she understands the implications and also knows how to help the child along. Even though this is not a guarantee for a good school year, it does set up the child for success.