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Preparing for early childhood education
Starting preschool or daycare is a big milestone for any child, and it can be particularly important for autistic children.
The new environment, routines, and social interactions can be challenging, but the transition can be smoother and more positive with the right preparation and support. Here are some practical tips and strategies to help prepare your autistic child for this new chapter.
Understanding the transition
Transitions can be challenging for autistic children due to changes in routine, sensory sensitivities and social interactions. Understanding these challenges is the first step in helping your child adjust. The goal is to give your child the tools and support they need to feel comfortable and confident in their new environment.
Children with autism require more time and preparation to transition to new places, people and routines. This means that preparing to start childcare, preschool, or kindergarten should begin as early as possible. By familiarising your child with childcare and gradually introducing them to the environment, you can ease their anxiety and build their confidence.
Talking to your child about childcare, or communicating to them in a way they understand, can help them have positive associations with going. Reading books or watching videos about childcare or starting new things can help communicate this message and make this process more engaging. Using photos, ideally from your child’s early learning centre, to create visual supports can also be helpful, as it helps your child familiarise themselves with their childcare, the activities they will do there and the educators that will support them.
Familiarity can reduce anxiety. Arrange visits to the preschool or daycare beforehand to allow your child to explore the environment. If possible, visit multiple times and at different times of the day. This will help your child get used to the place's sounds, sights, and routines. During these visits, you can:
- Meet the staff: Introduce your child to the teachers and carers. Let them spend some time getting to know each other, even if it's just playing together or chatting. This helps your child build a connection and feel more comfortable around them.
- Explore the space: Let your child explore the classrooms, playground, and other areas. Point out interesting things they might enjoy, like toys or play areas. This exploration can make the space feel more familiar and less intimidating.
- Practice routines: If possible, practice some of the daily routines they will follow, like hanging up their bag, finding their seat, or going to the bathroom. Knowing what to expect can be very reassuring for autistic children.
In addition to specially organised visits, many childcare services run orientation programs, transition mornings, or introductory playgroups for families. Attending these can give your child an opportunity to play alongside other children and help other children become more familiar with your child and their needs. Before attending these events, sharing information or strategies with educators to help keep your child safe and comfortable can be helpful.
It is important to note that you are not obliged to disclose your child’s autism diagnosis to other parents or carers. Some families are very open about their child’s autism, while other families prefer to only tell others on a ‘need to know’ basis. Some families may decide not to disclose a diagnosis when their child first begins attending a service but will share it later once they know someone better. Whatever the decision, it is valid and should be respected by those around you.
A consistent routine at home can help prepare your child for the structured environment of preschool or daycare. Start implementing a routine similar to the one they will experience, including wake-up, meal, and quiet times.
Mornings can be hectic for families, especially when adjusting to a new routine. Planning ahead and establishing a consistent morning routine can reduce stress and make the start of the day easier for you and your child. Getting organised as much as possible the night before also gives you more time to focus on your child’s emotional needs in the morning.
A calm morning at home sets the tone for a smoother drop-off at child care. If your child feels relaxed and secure, they’re more likely to handle the separation from you easily. Take a few moments to connect with your child in the morning, whether through a cuddle, a favourite song, or a quick story.
Many autistic children respond well to visual aids. Create a visual schedule that outlines their daily routine using pictures or symbols. This can help them understand what will happen and when, reducing anxiety about the unknown. You could also try introducing social stories, which are short descriptive stories that explain social situations and appropriate responses. You can create a social story that describes a typical day at preschool, including drop-off, activities, and pick-up.
Effective communication with preschool or daycare staff is essential to ensure a positive experience for your child. Here’s how to establish and maintain good communication:
- Share information: Provide the staff detailed information about your child’s strengths, preferences, triggers, and effective calming strategies. This will help them better understand and support your child.
- Develop a communication plan: Set up a plan for regular communication with the staff. This can include daily updates, weekly check-ins, or a communication notebook. Being informed about your child’s day can help you support them at home and address any issues.
- Discuss inclusion strategies: Talk to the staff about how they can include your child in activities and ensure they feel part of the group. Discuss any necessary accommodations or modifications, such as using visual supports, offering breaks, or providing a quiet space.
Good educators will create an education and care plan in collaboration with an autistic child’s family and any allied health professionals who support them. This plan can be referred to by various names, commonly called an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Activity Learning Plan. An IEP should contain short-term and long-term goals for an autistic child’s development and specific and practical strategies to help them. These strategies should reflect your child’s current abilities and support needs, such as assistance with communication, sensory sensitivities or toileting. It should also detail any behaviour management strategies and reasonable adjustments that need to be made to learning activities and environments to accommodate your child best.
Most importantly, this plan should be created in collaboration with you. Staff should seek your input and feedback at each stage of the plan’s development and be open to your suggestions. When working with educators to produce this plan, asking about the qualifications and experience of staff supporting your child can identify any training or support they will require to work with your child. Any support plan should be strength-based, highlighting a child’s strengths, interests, and abilities. This also means that strategies to address your child’s support needs, challenging behaviours or tasks they find challenging should be positive and proactive.
As children grow and change, their strengths and support needs will, too. Any formal support plans should be frequently reviewed and revised in consultation with you to ensure that support strategies continue to meet your child’s learning and development goals.
Preschools and daycares can be sensory-rich environments, which may be overwhelming for some autistic children. Preparing for sensory experiences can make the transition easier:
- Identify sensory preferences: Understand your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities. Do they prefer quiet spaces, or are they okay with noise? Are there certain textures or lights they find uncomfortable? Knowing these can help you prepare and advocate for appropriate accommodations.
- Create a sensory kit: Pack a sensory kit with items that help your child regulate their sensory input. This could include noise-cancelling headphones, a favourite soft toy, fidget toys, or a weighted blanket. Discuss these items with the preschool or daycare staff to ensure they can be used as needed.
- Practice sensory activities: If possible, expose your child to different sensory experiences at preschool, like group singing, arts and crafts, or outdoor play. Gradually introducing these activities can help them become more comfortable with new sensations.
If your child has specific healthcare needs, allergies or co-occurring medical conditions, you must raise these with your child’s early learning service. This ensures a comprehensive plan can be implemented to keep your child safe. Medical plans should include information about the following:
- Medications, including what medicines to give and how and when to administer them.
- Special medical equipment, such as feeding tubes, and how to use it.
- Procedures for managing health emergencies, including contact details for emergency assistance.
Educators may need special training to safely and appropriately manage your child’s medical needs. Childcare services needing additional training funding can apply through the Australian Government’s Inclusion and Support Program.
Social interactions can be challenging for autistic children. Helping them develop social skills can make their transition to preschool or daycare smoother. Practice common social scenarios with your child through role-playing. This can include greeting teachers, playing with peers, or asking for help. Role-playing can help your child learn appropriate responses and feel more confident in social situations.
Arrange playdates with other children to provide opportunities for social interaction. Start with one-on-one playdates and gradually introduce small groups as your child becomes more comfortable. Introducing social scripts can help your child navigate these playdates. Social scripts are pre-taught phrases or sentences that can help your child navigate social interactions. For example, teaching them to say, "Can I play with you?" or "I need a break" can empower them to communicate their needs effectively.
Navigating the early days
The first weeks of childcare involve significant adjustment for both the child and their family. Spending extra time with your child at drop-off in the first few weeks can help make this transition easier, offering reassurance to the child through activities like reading or quiet play. When leaving your child, saying goodbye calmly and confidently can help your child to accept that you are leaving, and that you will only be leaving temporarily. Gradually reducing the time you spend with your child at drop-off and when saying goodbye as they settle in helps them adjust
Childcare can be overwhelming, so it's important to give your child some downtime at home to rest and process their day. Prioritising quiet play, earlier bedtimes, longer naps and bonding moments, especially in the evenings or on weekends, helps your child to rest and strengthens your relationship.
With your child spending more time in childcare, the moments you share at home become even more precious. Build special bonding time into your daily routine, particularly in the evening or before bedtime. Weekends can also be an opportunity for relaxed family activities, like a trip to the park or a favourite game.
Regular communication with educators ensures your child’s needs are met and their progress is monitored, particularly in the early days. Determine the best way to communicate with your child’s educators, whether face-to-face, via phone, or online. Informal chats during drop-off and pick-up times or using a communication book or app can also be effective ways to keep everyone updated, but if you have more complex questions or concerns, organising an in-person meeting remains the best approach.
Common challenges and solutions
Separation anxiety
Many children experience separation anxiety when starting childcare, particularly as it is a completely new environment with new routines, places and people. Gradually practising short periods of separation from your child, such as having them spend time at a relative or family friend's house, can help your child adjust.
Acknowledging your child's feelings is also important. Statements like, 'I know you're sad, but you'll have fun, and I'll be back soon' can help reassure them. Consistent goodbye rituals, such as a hug or a special phrase, can also provide comfort.
If anxiety is severe, practising short separations at home with a trusted person can build your child’s confidence. It may also be helpful to have a meeting with your child's educators or Centre Director to create a plan for addressing intense separation anxiety in a consistent and positive way.
Reluctance to leave childcare
Some children may become so comfortable at childcare that they are reluctant to leave. This can be frustrating and upsetting, but it is also a positive sign that your child feels safe and happy in their childcare environment.
Acknowledge their feelings, saying something like, "I see you're having fun, but we can plan something fun at home, too." Providing a gentle warning before it's time to leave helps them prepare for the transition. Creating positive departure rituals, like a fun goodbye with their educator or a small reward at home, can make leaving easier.
Helpful strategies for behavioural challenges
It's important to prepare for potential challenges that may arise during the transition. Here are some strategies that can assist with a wide range of behavioural challenges:
- Anticipate and plan: Consider potential challenges your child may face, such as transition difficulty, sensory overload, or social interactions. Plan strategies to address these challenges, such as using a visual timer for transitions or creating a quiet space for sensory breaks.
- Positive reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage and reward your child's efforts. This could include praise, a favourite activity, or a small treat. Positive reinforcement can motivate your child and help them feel proud of their progress.
- Stay flexible: Be prepared for setbacks and remain flexible. The transition may not always go smoothly, and that's okay. It's important to adjust your approach and continue providing support and encouragement.
- Work towards full days: In the beginning, stagger the times your child attends the early childhood setting. They may go in the mornings with early pick-ups and gradually, over time, work up to full days once they are settled into their new environment.
- Create a supportive home environment: It's important to continue supporting your child at home throughout their entire time in childcare. Prioritise a calming environment where your child can relax and decompress, such as a quiet space with their favourite sensory toys or activities. Maintaining consistent routines at home creates stability and predictability, which can prevent distress and challenging behaviours.
- Prioritise communication: Work towards and maintain open communication with your child about how they are finding childcare. Provide a safe space for them to share their experiences, express their emotions and discuss their worries or concerns. For some children, this will involve verbal conversations, whereas for others, drawing or using visual aids or Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) will be more effective.
Working with professionals
Involving professionals who support your child during their transition to early learning is highly beneficial. Therapists and specialists, such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and behaviour support specialists, can offer strategies tailored to your child’s strengths and needs, helping set goals to improve outcomes. Collaborating with professionals who understand autism ensures better support for your child's development and transition.
These professionals can assist educators in adjusting programs and environments to support your child’s learning and wellbeing, either through on-site visits or remote communication. Joining a parent support group can also provide valuable insights, shared experiences, and a sense of community. Additionally, staying informed through books, websites, and organisations can offer helpful resources for supporting autistic children.
The importance of advocacy
Parents or carers are the most important advocates for their children, ensuring their rights and needs are met. Advocating successfully for a child with autism involves raising concerns, offering suggestions and monitoring your child's progress and experiences continually to ensure they are always treated with dignity, respect and inclusion.
Advocacy skills are especially important when navigating the education system, particularly in the early years. Engaging with your child's educators or the Centre Director respectfully and openly as soon as concerns arise while asking focused questions can lead to productive conversations. Offering strategies or suggesting adjustments can help educators tailor their approach. Where appropriate, involving professionals who support your child in advocacy-related discussions can help solutions be identified and implemented more quickly.
Having a support person at meetings, such as a partner, family member, or disability advocate, can be helpful. They can help you record information, explain your perspectives and clarify any information given to you. This is particularly valuable in situations where you believe your child's rights have been denied. Remember, a good early learning service will want to work with you to create the best early learning experience for your child.