Tips to manage the anxiety before school starts

I have been preparing my AuDHDer for prep for the last 6 months. Next week, he starts prep and I haven't stopped crying! Here are some easy tips that our therapists have helped us develop to manage his anxiety (and mine) when he starts next week.

1. Create a routine - make a visual plan for the morning, during school and after school. If you have time, create a short social story that has: in the car to school, in the classroom, the teacher and sitting at their desk. 

2. Reduce unknowns by creating certainty - write a 'first day plan' card for your child to carry (who to ask, where to go, what to do if they get stuck), and email the teacher a one page or booklet of your child's strengths, triggers, supports and communication tips). 

3. Build a regulation toolkit - pack a small kit: noise reducing headphones, flare earplugs, a spiky ring and a fidget toy. Practice 1 or 2 calming skills like box breathing (4 - 4 - 4 - 4) and counting 5 things that you see, hear and feel. 

4. Choice - ensure you offer choices to increase control - route to school, type of snack, and fidget toy.

5. Reduce demand - for the pathological demand avoidance kids, using declarative language: Instead of “help me clean the mess”. Try “this is a mess. I need help to clean up.” 

Instead of “what’s wrong? Is it too loud?” Try “that sound is too loud for me. My ears hurt.”

If you have any other tips, we would love to hear from you!