Supporting Neurodivergent Children's Transition Back to School: Nurturing Authenticity and Well-being

The return to school marks a significant transition for all children, but for neurodivergent children, the transition back to the classroom can be uniquely challenging. The back-to-school period brings with it not only changes in routine but also the pressure to navigate neurotypical social expectations and to often mask their true selves. Neurodivergent children are frequently expected to conceal their authentic selves by suppressing stimming, not talking about passions, and ignoring sensory needs. This all leads to increased stress, anxiety, and dysregulation. In this blog post, we will take a look at how parents can provide vital support during this transition by offering sensory accommodations, lowering demands, and fostering a nurturing environment that encourages play and the pursuit of passions.

Sensory Accommodations at Home:

After a long day at school, some children may be overstimulated by various sensory experiences, such as loud hallways, smelly cafeterias, and uncomfortable school clothes. Others may feel understimulated by the school day, craving movement, music, or creativity. Creating a sensory-safe environment at home could mean providing a calming space for your child to unwind through quiet spaces, comfy furniture, and loose pajamas. For children craving more sensory input, this could mean setting up a safe environment where they can climb, swing, play musical instruments, or engage in messy art projects. Your occupational therapist can guide you on the type of sensory input that would be regulating for your specific child, as every child's sensory needs are different.

To further support your child’s sensory regulation, we should also consider how well your child is able to identify their physiological needs. For children with low interoceptive awareness, they may not be recognizing the signals for hunger, thirst, or fatigue and may be coming home with a lot of unmet needs. Help them meet these needs by offering snacks, water, or rest.

Lowering Demands:

The transition from school to home should be a time for your child to relax and recharge. Lowering demands during this time can help prevent overwhelm and burnout. 

One way to lower demands is to offer more assistance during their daily activities: Even though your child may usually be independent in tasks like removing their shoes, jacket, or preparing an after-school snack, these tasks may feel too challenging due to fatigue from the school day. Offer your unconditional assistance instead. Help them with their zipper, open the snack package, or refill their water bottle for them. The level of assistance they want or need may vary from day to day.

You could also lower after-school demands by dropping demands related to doing homework, chores, or after school activities. 

It's important to consider how our choice of language may feel like another demand. For the child that is experiencing a lot of stress with the return to school, even communication demands like answering questions can feel overwhelming. For instance, consider the distinction between using Declarative Language like 'I hope you had a great day at school. Let's have a snack!' and using Imperative Language such as 'Did you have a good day at school? Please come to the table, and I'll bring you a snack.” Declarative Language invites your child into a conversation and whereas Imperative Language demands responses and actions.

Encouraging Play and Passions:

Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood development, and nurturing your child's passions can boost their regulation and overall well-being.

Child-Led Play: Allow your child to engage in play that they are interested in. This can be a way for them to unwind, process their day, and express themselves in a safe environment.Their play doesn't have to resemble neurotypical play. Allow them time to engage in their preferred method of play, it could look like movement based play, pretend play, sorting and organizing, or learning more about a special interest or passion. 

Passion Pursuit: Encourage your child's interests and passions outside of school. Whether it's art, music, science, or any other area, engaging in activities they love can enhance their sense of identity and accomplishment. The school day often doesn’t provide time for deep play or 'hyperfocus.' However, for many neurodivergent children, engaging in deep, focused exploration is their preferred way of playing and learning. Allowing them this time acknowledges their authentic selves. 

Supporting neurodivergent children during the back-to-school transition requires a combination of sensitivity, understanding, and a commitment to providing a nurturing environment. By offering sensory accommodations at home, lowering demands, and encouraging play and passions, parents can create a space where their children feel safe, valued, and understood.

Implementing these strategies can have a significant impact on their well-being and overall success. Every step you take towards understanding and embracing your child's unique needs contributes to a more inclusive and nurturing environment.

If you're looking for further guidance or have questions about how neurodiversity affirming occupational therapy could support your family during this time of transition, feel free to reach out to us and schedule a free consultation call!