Helping Your Child With Asperger's Syndrome Return To School

School is definitely a place for routines and changing situations making it something that can produce anxiety in a person with Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Some kids will start having difficulty in school during preschool and kindergarten with most of them experiencing some degree of difficulty by the time they have reached the upper elementary school grades. Parents and teachers can do many things to help schools kids with AS to improve coping mechanisms so that they have better school experiences.

Start off with having the parents initiate a "School-Year" routine several weeks before school starts this includes bedtimes and waking up times. This will also include morning routines like getting dressed as soon as they wake and eating breakfast before doing other activities.

It is important to implement homework routines that will be conducive to mastering skills. Provide a quiet place that is comfortable and promotes studying. Provide a desk, proper lighting (not florescent) a comfortable chair and plenty of tools and resources.

Come up with a plan to motivate your child to study such as activities or favorite items as a reward for studying such as being able to watch a favorite TV program, earning points that can be turned in for a toy, book or new piece of clothing.

Work with the school to initiate orientation activities such as visiting the school several times over the summer to get used to where classrooms are located, where the lunchroom is, restrooms, gym etc. Find out if it is possible for your child to meet his teachers before the start of school. Make sure if your child is walking to and from school that you practice enough times so that your child is confident in knowing the way to school and the way home. If the student is changing classes during the school day ask the school to provide a walk-through of the students classes before the start of school. Ask the school if they have a buddy system for students who need one the first few weeks of school. Make sure the child understands about changing classes and when it is appropriate to go to the restroom, to lunch, and how to see the school nurse if necessary.

Make sure that the school staff including teachers and support personnel that would have contact with the child with Asperger's Syndrome are educated regarding the syndrome and how the affects the child's ability to learn and communicate with others during the school day.

The parents should make room in their schedule especially at the start of school for meetings and phone calls to and from teachers and other staff as the child makes the transition from home to school.

During the summer make sure your child has the opportunity to socialize with both children and adults so that they can practice social skills needed in school.