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Transition to secondary school tips!

Huckleberry

My son was recently diagnosed with ASD. As the diagnosis came right at the end of the school year we don't really know what is going to happen when he transitions to secondary in terms of support. 

He is going from a school of 70 pupils in the school with 220 in a year group and is showing anxiety already which is coming out in a variety of ways. I'm trying to put some measures in place that will help him prepare, organise himself and stay safe but I've had no guidence yet. We are due another meeting with the paediatrician in September but he will have already started by then. 

Any Tips on how to discuss it with And prepare him either practical or emotional would be really helpful. 

Thanks

  • Thank you, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and thoughtful response. It's reassuring as we have considered some of them, however you may some really good points that we hadn't thought about. He has had a couple of transition days, so I asked him if he remembered where the loos were! He said "no but I have a strong bladder", he does know how to get to the library though and has permission to use that during break. 

    I'll check who his named person is, they have a very good pastoral team but i'm surprised we haven't been asked in to chat to them. 

    Thank you again, whilst I know it's going to be tough for him it's reassuring to hear from people like yourself, who show us that with the right support it can be made manageable for him. 

  • Hi. I'd like to share some thoughts as an AS person. You might find something useful. I think you sound like someone who can trust their instincts though!

    We fear the unfamiliar. A new school is a daunting prospect for anyone, for an AS, it's huge. If you can get an opportunity to go round the school during the holidays when it's quiet, you'll take a little of that away. He will be able to find out where essential things he needs are, toilets, classrooms, eating arrangements, but give him time to absorb it all - don't overload him with information too quickly. If he's already been on a preparatory visit, see what he remembers, especially if he's thinking that he missed or failed to understand anything in particular.

    It would be helpful if you can identify 'safe' places or quiet places that he might be able to use if he feels oppressed. Noise and numbers around him, not being familiar with the structure of school and the timetable, even unfortunate comments can all become suddenly too much. Also, the effects of these things can be cumulative until breaking point, and he goes into meltdown. He'll need to understand what to do under those circumstances, for instance would he like to have a 'phone to use at need (and ONLY at need!) and would he need permission to have it 'live' at all times?

    It can be important not to signal his difficulties. If special provision for him is needed and there's a chance that other pupils might see it as 'priviledge', his teachers, especially his form teacher, might need to give out a simple but supportive explanation, but this is a judgement call - the explanation itself can be a big flag! If he gets any adverse treatment from anyone, he may need to have an identified person to go to.

    These are all things that you must discuss with school. As long as you explain to your son what you're doing and why, and you ask him what he thinks, you should end up with something that reassures you both. Perhaps he might think that if someone he knows is able to respond to a help call and go to school, knowing that he isn't alone and unsupported could help his confidence.

    He'll have difficulty adjusting to the new culture, that's a given. It's really about helping him manage that adjustment. Watch out for if he gets especially quiet or sullen, or whatever you usually recognise as a sign that something is troubling him. If you think there is something, ask him for sure but don't press it if he doesn't feel able to talk, just have a word with school.

    Hope something helps, good luck to you all