Try this free printable to help teachers know what works best for your autistic twins, triplets or quadruplets!
Are you ready to send your autistic twins to school? You may wonder if this is the right time, or have lots of worries, but keeping positive can help make a good school experience from day one.
Getting them ready
Depending on where you live, your child may start school somewhere between ages 4-6. If your twins have a birthday close to the school start date, you might be able to decide to hold them back another year. You might also be able to decide whether you’d like your children in the same class or not.
If you haven’t already, visiting the school is a great idea. Your twins may want to see what the classrooms, library, cafeteria and play areas look like. They might get to meet their teacher, helpers or aides, and other students at the school. It also allows you to ask any questions about the school, lessons, or after school activities.
Your autistic twins may want to practice some skills they are likely to use in school. Skills such as lining up at the door, getting their coat on or sitting for circle time are good to be prepared for. Waking up earlier may need to be practiced too! Practice the teachers name and how to ask for a drink or the toilet if your twins need it. If your twins are non-speaking, you can send in picture cards or other assistive communication devices to help them. If your child needs to wear a uniform, order this ahead of time so you can determine if your twins have any sensory needs related to fabric, tags or shoes.
You can use checklists to help your twins or triplets know what they need to get ready. Items such as a backpack, sports uniforms, pencil case and jacket can be put out the night before so they are ready to go. Don’t forget to grab their lunchbox in the morning!
Social stories or visual timetables can help your autistic twins know what is happening now and what will happen next. You can also ask the school or visit their website to see if there are pictures of the classroom or teachers that you can add to their social story.
Depending on where you live, your twins might walk, bicycle, ride in your car, take a bus or take a taxi to get to school. It’s a good idea to practice this with your autistic twins ahead of time. Talk to your autistic twins or triplets about how long the journey will take, what they might see on the way, and how to stay calm if they get stuck in traffic.
The first few weeks
Your twins may have a diagnosis before they start school, or they may not. Generally, a diagnosis is not needed in order to access extra supports. Depending on where you live, these supports might be called:
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) – USA, Canada
- Educational Health Care Plan (EHC) – UK
- Health Support Plan (HSP) – Australia
It’s important to talk to the school about the kinds of supports your twins may need, what they do well and what they may need extra support and supervision with. Well before starting school, do some research to find out what is needed in order to get the educational support started.
Communication with classroom staff is key. You can ask that the school sends an email or uses a special diary to explain how the day went. Sometimes you can talk to the teacher directly at pick up time, or make arrangement for a weekly phone call to summarise.
There are lots of things to remember at home too. Your little ones might have some big emotions as they adjust to the changes and transitions that school brings. It’s a lot of new people, activities and schedules to get used to. The school may be noisy, busy, have bright lights or smell funny. Remember your autistic twins may have sensory challenges that means they are much more (or less) perceptive than you are to in these environments.
Give your twins plenty of time to relax when they get home. You may find they want to spend time alone in their bedroom on a preferred activity, or they may want to get close to you with a reassuring cuddle. Take their lead and keep demands low.
What about homeschooling?
You may also decide to homeschool, and that’s ok too! Stay tuned to the blog for homeschooling autistic twins articles.
It’s time for the first day!
If you are ready to help your autistic twins and their teacher to have a great school year, get started with our free All About Me download! Have your autistic twins started school? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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