Heading back to school can be a time of mixed emotions. For many neurodivergent children, it brings both excitement and uncertainty. New classrooms, different routines and increased expectations can be overwhelming. With the right supports in place, this transition can feel less stressful and more predictable. Occupational therapy can play a key role in making the return to school a positive experience.
Why Transitions Are Challenging
Transitions involve change, and change can be tricky, especially when it’s fast-paced or not fully understood. Back-to-school transitions are more than just switching locations. They include new teachers, different schedules, louder environments, new expectations and shifts in social dynamics. For neurodivergent children, this can mean navigating sensory overload, emotional regulation challenges, and unfamiliar expectations all at once.
Children may experience fatigue, shutdowns, meltdowns or anxiety during this time. They might resist going to school, show changes in appetite or sleep, or have trouble engaging in after-school routines. These are not signs of bad behaviour. They are valid responses to stress, change and sensory or emotional overwhelm.
Understanding what your child is experiencing helps build empathy and guide the strategies you put in place to support them.
Common Challenges We See
While every child is different, some common back-to-school challenges include:
- Difficulty with new routines and transitions
- Overwhelm in noisy or crowded environments
- Fatigue from increased mental, physical or social demands
- Emotional outbursts before or after school
- Challenges navigating new relationships or making meaningful connections
- Difficulty with organisation, memory or task initiation
These challenges can be especially tough if a child’s strengths are not yet fully understood or supported in their school environment.
Sensory Strategies That Support Regulation
Sensory needs don’t disappear when school starts. In fact, they often become more noticeable. Being in a classroom can involve bright lighting, constant noise, visual clutter, uncomfortable uniforms and busy lunchrooms. This input can add up quickly and lead to overwhelm.
Here are some sensory strategies that can help:
- Offer movement in the morning before school, such as jumping on a trampoline or carrying a backpack with some weight. These activities provide proprioceptive input that supports regulation.
- Pack a small regulation kit in your child’s bag. This might include noise-reducing headphones, a chewable pendant, sunglasses, fidget items or a comforting object.
- If possible, create a consistent drop-off routine. Predictability supports safety and confidence.
- Work with the school to explore quiet zones, regulation spaces or flexible seating if needed.
Every child’s sensory preferences are different. Some need more input to feel regulated, while others need less. Occupational therapy can help identify what supports your child best.
Routine Building at Home
Supporting your child’s transition to school starts at home. Simple, consistent routines create a sense of control and predictability that makes it easier to navigate the school day.
Try these tips:
- Use visual schedules to help your child understand what will happen next. Include images or photos of the school day, transport, lunch or after-school activities.
- Do practice runs before the first day. Try getting ready at the same time each morning, packing lunch, and heading out for a short walk or drive to mimic the routine.
- Give your child time to decompress after school. Avoid scheduling too many activities in the first few weeks. Allow for unstructured time, rest, or quiet play.
- Use timers or visual cues to help with transitions between morning tasks like breakfast, dressing and brushing teeth.
For some children, routines need to be flexible and responsive. Use trial and error to see what works best and don’t be afraid to adjust.
Building Meaningful Connections
Making friends or feeling a sense of belonging at school can be a source of stress, especially when communication or social engagement looks different for your child. At Light OT, we believe that meaningful connection doesn’t have one definition. It may come from shared interests, side-by-side play, teamwork in the classroom or simple gestures like a wave or a smile.
Occupational therapists can help your child build confidence in engaging with others in ways that feel natural and authentic to them. We also support families and teachers to create inclusive environments where all styles of communication and interaction are respected.
Some strategies that may help:
- Support your child to identify peers or teachers they feel safe with and build on those relationships.
- Use books or visuals to explore what connection and friendship can look like.
- Help school staff understand how your child communicates, plays and relates to others.
- Encourage activities that build confidence through shared interests, like drawing, games, or movement-based play.
The goal is not to change who your child is, but to support their sense of connection and belonging in ways that align with their strengths.
Emotional Regulation Tools
Managing big emotions during school transitions is tough, even for adults. For children, the emotional load of school can show up as frustration, withdrawal, shutdowns or meltdowns.
Here are some regulation strategies to try:
- Teach regulation strategies through play. Practice breathing techniques, use visual timers or turn on calming music.
- Validate their feelings without trying to fix them. Statements like “That sounds really hard” or “I understand why you’re upset” help children feel heard.
- Have a calm-down space at home with sensory tools or comforting items. Let your child use it freely when they need a break.
Regulation doesn’t look the same for every child. What matters is that your child is supported to understand their needs and explore strategies that help them feel safe.
How Occupational Therapy Can Help
At Light OT, we support children and families through life transitions, including the start of the school year. Our therapists work alongside families, educators and children to build confidence, reduce stress and develop practical tools that support participation in school life.
We offer:
- Individualised support based on your child’s strengths, preferences and goals
- Sensory assessments to identify what helps or hinders your child in the school setting
- Strategies for managing routines, transitions and regulation at home and school
- Coaching for families and collaboration with teachers to support inclusion
We take a neurodiversity-affirming approach, which means we celebrate differences, respect communication preferences and never work to change who your child is. Instead, we build environments that fit your child, not the other way around.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Returning to school is a big step. With the right strategies, support and understanding, it can also be a positive one. By focusing on regulation, predictability and authentic connection, we can ease the transition and help your child feel confident in their own way.
If you’d like support preparing for the school year or navigating any challenges that arise along the way, the team at Light OT is here for you. We’re ready to walk alongside your family with practical, respectful and personalised care.
Last modified: 18/08/2025
