Preparing Neurodiverse students for 2026 – Free Ebook (Episode 319)

Discussed in this Episode:

✅ Video the school environment – Use a phone or iPad to record the teacher saying hello, the office staff, locker areas, drop-off zones, and school spaces WITH students present (not empty) so children can see and hear the actual environment they’ll experience.

✅ Create a visual school map – Develop a physical map showing toilets, library, bag hanging areas, lockers, and equipment schedule (e.g., “allowed on equipment Monday, Wednesday, Thursday”) for visual learners to process information.

✅ Practice lunchbox opening NOW – Purchase the lunchbox before December (better selection in November), and have children practice unzipping it and opening all containers including tiny teddies, chip packets, and drink bottles.

✅ Keep the same teacher assistant for continuity – In schools with high staff turnover where teacher assignments are uncertain, maintain the same teacher assistant for at least the first four weeks to provide one familiar face.

✅ Prepare for the next step – Join sue now for upcoming workshops OR same course online on demand upcoming workshop

✅ Start volunteer work and job experience in November – For students transitioning to work, arrange “go to work” days with parents or family friends, start volunteer positions, or secure summer jobs at franchises like McDonald’s, Baker’s Delight, or Subway that have structured training programs.

Looking for more tips and strategies for transitioning to 2026? Join me for upcoming workshops.

It’s starting to get to the end of 2025, and you might already be starting to think about how you will ease the transition for the children you know. Or if you are just coming out of learning from home and moving to in-person teaching, these transition tips will help reduce anxiety and stress!

Transition can be big or small changes: it includes change in teacher, change in room, change in students in the class not just starting preschool, school, high school and beyond.

The nature of autism is such that transition can be extremely stressful, no matter what age or how BIG or SMALL the change maybe.

Changing Teacher is like…. Moving to a Foreign Country

_{Transition Tips Booklet}

_{✅ 13 Separation Anxiety Tips
📌 12+ Page Student Transition Guide
⭐️ Preschool to Post School Tips
✅ Checklist for Success
📌 Top Tips for Children Starting School in 2024
🌼 School to Work Transition for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder}

_{Transition Student Programme}

_{✅ Academic
✅ Behavioural
✅ Communication
✅ Learning at Home
✅ Social Skills
✅ General / Sensory}

_{10 Things About Me}

_{An informative guide to enable student self-advocation}

This is the perfect solution for assisting a smooth transition, and ensuring the student’s new teacher is aware of what to do and what not to do.

Transition Resources

For specific reading and Cheat Sheets for Transition look for these pages:

• Making it a Success by Sue Larkey, pages 115-116
• The Essential Guide to Secondary School by Sue Larkey and Anna Tullemans, page 79
• The Early Years by Sue Larkey and Gay von Ess, page 82
• From Anxiety to Meltdown by Deborah Lipsky, page 172
• I’m Going to School by Anna Tullemans
• How to Stop Your Words from Bumping by Anna Tullemans and Rhonda Dixon