Return to School: High Schoolers

Introduction 
Significant changes in routine are tough for all people, but especially for our teenagers. For teens still learning from home, the transition back to in-person schooling may be on the horizon for them. In this blog you will learn many strategies that can foster a smoother transition for your teen.

School Expectations
The switch to in-person schooling is a big transition for your teen, so it is important to discuss what the expectations are for in-person school prior to school starting. For example, your teen will be expected to wear a mask all day, and they will not be able to fidget quite so much as they were able to at home behind their computer screens. While kids are generally resilient and adaptable, taking 5-10 minutes to discuss these expectations will better equip your child to succeed. If your child has additional sensory concerns, be sure to send them in with their pre-approved fidgets and noise cancelling headphones when necessary. Additionally, with increased contact tracing, there is the possibility that your teen will be required to quarantine after their return to in-person learning if a classmate is found to have COVID-19. It will support your teen’s transition, and possible transition in and out of school, to discuss this in advance. Be sure to highlight that quarantining is often a safety precaution, and does not necessarily mean that one has COVID-19. 

What to Expect from Your Teen
Teens going back to school for the first time since the start of the pandemic may be feeling many different emotions. These emotions may include frustration, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, or just a general feeling of overwhelming tiredness. These emotions may lead to outbursts, trouble focusing, or simply difficulty adjusting to their new schedule. It is important to be aware of these possible emotional responses in order to best help your teen navigate them. Despite these possible negative emotions, your teen may also be feeling positive about school, as well, such as excitement to be around their friends again! A simple check-in can help you to assess how your teen is feeling, and provide a safe space for future emotion check-ins. 

Morning Routines
Transitions to new routines can be difficult. Practicing the new wake-up and morning routines prior to in-person classes will increase your teen’s chances for success. You may choose to have your teen wake up early and begin their morning routine a week or so before classes resume. It is recommended to gradually implement this routine, having your teen wake up earlier and earlier each day until reaching the necessary wake-up time for in-person schooling. Additionally, your teen is going to have to wear a mask in class, so for some, it may be helpful to have them practice wearing a mask for extended periods of time in order to become comfortable with wearing one. 

Visual Supports for Success
Another general tip for supporting this transition back to in-person learning is to use a visual schedule. Having a visual schedule can be a great way to help your teen understand how long they have until classes resume. A visual schedule can be as simple as placing a calendar in the kitchen, or anywhere your teen will see it each day, where you and your child can cross off the days as in-person classes are approaching. If your teen is feeling anxious about this upcoming transition, you may want to plan a fun way to celebrate after the first day back to school to give them something positive to look forward to. You can even highlight this fun outing on your visual calendar to keep your teen motivated.

Teens Entering a New Building
If your teen has switched schools since they were last in-person, you may wish to take additional steps to support their transition. 
School Tour: Consider taking a tour of the school and seeing if your teens teachers will be available to meet with them individually over zoom before classes begin. Because of COVID-19, schools may not be open to tours, so be sure to call in advance. Additionally, if your teen is taking the bus, ensure they are familiar with the route, the bus stop, and schedule a time for them to meet the bus driver, if possible. 
Practice Routes to Class: Allowing teens to practice their class routes and test out their lockers can help to reduce their first day of school anxieties. If your teen is nervous that they will be unable to switch between classes in the allotted time, it may also be helpful to practice walking the route in the allotted passing time when possible.

Handling My Teen’s Special Needs
Some teens will have special learning needs, medication requirements, or IEPs that need to be followed. Here are some ideas for navigating those needs. 
Plan for Sensory Breaks: If your child normally receives sensory breaks, or cool down time away from their desk, it will be important to speak with your school staff about what will and won’t be possible when they return to in-person classes. Make a plan in advance so that your student knows what to expect.
Plan for Medication Delivery: If your teen is used to taking additional doses of their medications throughout the day, it may be necessary to plan for how he/she will receive their medication while at school during this time.
Check-in with Your Child’s IEP Team: Due to COVID-19, most schools are low on staff, particularly paraprofessionals. In preparation for the return to in-person classes, you will want to call your teen’s school or IEP team to inquire what types of supports will be present. 

Practice Stress-Reducing Techniques
During in-person classes, there may be many stressful situations that your teen encounters. In order to best help them, it may be helpful to review stress-reducing techniques that your teen can do to calm themselves down. You can find several stress-reducing techniques here. Additionally, the Trails to Wellness website contains many helpful techniques for relaxation such as deep breathing techniques, and grounding skills.

You’ve got This!
Although transitions can be difficult, don’t forget that you’ve got this, and so does your teen! Reach out to your support network if you or your teen are feeling overwhelmed. Most importantly, be sure to listen to your teen, validate their emotions, and work together as a team to navigate this unique transition. 

References

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/17-tips-help-transition-back-school-kids-autism

https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/helping-students-with-autism-navigate-back-to-school-time/