Smooth Navigation Through Life's Changes - Schooling or Voyages
The start of a new school year, or even a new grade, can be a challenging time for children. However, with the right strategies, these transitions can become opportunities for growth rather than sources of stress. Dr. Rouse, a renowned child psychologist, offers advice on how to make transitions smoother for children, especially those with ADHD, anxiety, or autism.
By preparing for transitions and adjusting routines, families can help reduce stress and anxiety. Focusing on sleep, clear expectations, and encouraging independence are key to helping kids start the new school year with confidence and excitement. Using rewards like stickers, high-fives, or fun activities can help children link good behavior with good results.
Having a daily routine is helpful for kids. It gives them a sense of security and comfort. Encouraging independence is important for kids' confidence and self-discipline. Letting kids choose their outfit, lunchbox, and backpack helps them feel in control.
Transitions are not only a challenge for children but for adults as well. Practicing them ahead of time can make all the difference. If they're starting at a new school, try a dry run to get them used to the place. Take them on a walk or drive to school and check out the building together. Show them where they'll eat, play, and relax. Even if you can't visit the school, you can still get ready for the first day. Walk through the day with your child, talking about lunch and what they'll do. Encourage them to ask questions and do your best to answer. Practice getting ready for bed or leaving the house in the morning at home.
In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, parents should stay careful and follow rules like distancing, setting up virtual meetings with their child's teacher before school starts, and getting their child used to wearing a mask for long periods before school starts.
Remember, you're not alone as you start the new school year. Use routines, visual cues, and positive feedback to help your child adjust. Transitions can be tough, but with the right support, your child can face them with confidence.
For children with ADHD, anxiety, or autism, predictability, structure, sensory accommodations, and direct skill-building are essential strategies. Visual schedules, clear communication, and immediate reinforcement are universal strategies that can benefit all children. For children with ADHD, routine training, environmental scaffolding, ABA therapy, and home-school collaboration are effective approaches. Children with anxiety may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, sensory accommodations, and calming activities. For children with autism, visual and object supports, predictable routines, sensory-friendly transitions, and ABA-based interventions are recommended.
By combining these strategies and tailoring them to each child’s unique profile, transitions can become a source of growth rather than stress. With your help, they'll learn to handle change with confidence.
References: [1] Barkley, R. A. (2013). ADHD and the Nature of the Beast: Understanding and Managing Impulsiveness, Hyperactivity, and Distractibility. Guilford Press. [2] Kern, J. K., & Mychailyszyn, S. (2018). Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Assessment and Treatment Strategies. Routledge. [3] Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(3), 399-407. [4] McComas, K. A., & Kern, J. K. (2018). Applied Behavior Analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Routledge.
By preparing routines and adjusting for transitions, families can help reduce stress and anxiety, instilling a sense of consistency and respect for their children's boundaries. Encouraging social skills like choosing their own outfit can foster independence and self-discipline, increasing children's confidence and excitement for the new school year. As adults, practicing transitions in advance and using visual cues can be beneficial, especially for new environments.
In the present context of the COVID-19 pandemic, health-and-wellness practices, such as distancing, virtual meetings, and mask-wearing, should be followed to ensure safety. Parenting strategies, basing on science and education-and-self-development resources like cognitive behavioral therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), can help children with ADHD, anxiety, or autism to adapt to transitions and function better in their social lifestyle. By combining these strategies and tailoring them to each child's unique profile, the start of the new school year can become a source of growth rather than a stressor.
