ASD and two schools...

[Beach Mama]

I would have a chat to the aides at the school about strategies that you can put in place but I would think that doing each run with him on the bus to the school to make him really familiar with it would be a good idea. Familiariarity is going to be the key with it all and you may find it takes some time for him to settle in - just going to one school would be diffulct enough.

Is there any chance he could just go to the smaller school that is close, full time??? Sorry if I misunderstood something, but I would think he would be better off going to the closer on 5 days a week than changing over. ETA:Just saw that isn't possible sorry hun.

There would also need to be some continuity with what he is learning at each school and communication between the 2 teachers so i would be talking to both and getting them to stay in touch with each other somehow. Maybe a communication book could go between to keep them up to date with anything going on that they need to know about. Sorry not much help really but I would be talking to both schools, teachers and EA's about what you can set in place before he sets foot in either school to eliminate any problems that many ASD kids have, simply from change in routine, which sounds like is going to be at each change over.

[MistyFying]

If he's a visual learner, I'd do what shiremummy is suggesting and create a social story. Take some photos of the two different routes to the two different schools, pics of the schools and teacher (if possible). If there's anything he's particularly anxious about try to ease those concerns. And talk, talk, talk about all the good things he's going to do at the two different schools. I'd try to use the schools' different names so he can start to differentiate, and if he needs to wear a different uniform to each, perhaps get him to test run the uniform on the appropriate days during the last few weeks of holidays?

Depending on his needs, it may suit him to have two sets of things - one for each school. eg two backpacks, two lunchboxes etc. Or it may be good for him to have one continuous thing across the whole week, iykwim.

Also, depending on your child, you might wish to arrange to ride the bus with him during the first week (but this could backfire on you and he may associate you with the bus and expect you to be on the bus all the time).

The good thing is that you already know him very well You know what he'll respond to best in terms of preparing him. Whatever works when you prepare him for a new experience now, will most likely be the best option for preparing him for his schooling. All the best.