Fall brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and the return of school routines. For families of children receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, this season can also mean juggling new schedules, adjusting to transitions, and finding ways to keep life from feeling overwhelming. While change is a normal part of life, it can be particularly challenging for children who thrive on predictability and structure.
The good news? With a little planning, flexibility, and the right strategies, families can create a smooth fall routine that supports both school and therapy. Let’s explore how to balance it all while keeping stress levels down and growth moving forward.
Starting a new school year is exciting, but it’s also a big shift. Children may be adjusting to:
For kids in ABA therapy, these changes can sometimes lead to resistance, meltdowns, or difficulty with focus. That’s why it’s essential to set up routines that provide consistency while also being flexible enough to handle the unexpected.
Children benefit greatly from visual supports. Consider creating a simple visual calendar that shows school days, ABA sessions, family time, and rest days. A calendar with pictures or icons helps your child know what to expect each day. It’s helpful to create a consistent schedule for your child and help them to understand the schedule so they know what to expect.
After a long school day, some children may be tired, hungry, or simply prefer some alone time. If you notice your child struggling, consider working with your ABA therapist on incorporating more naturalistic teaching approaches that feel less demanding. For example, therapy can sometimes be built into evening routines like cooking, playing, or completing an afterschool routine. If your child needs a little down time after school, it’s okay to give them that space. If they also have ABA after school, the ABA therapist can work with them at a slower pace, focus on rapport building, and supporting your child’s ability to manage their emotional and physical well-being during this time while still focusing on important treatment goals.
“Priming” means previewing what’s coming before it happens. Before the first day of school, walk your child through the new routine step by step. Visit the school, meet the teacher, or practice the bus route if possible. At home, role-play transitions between school and therapy so the process feels familiar.
Small rituals can help smooth the shift between activities. For example:
These rituals act as cues that signal what’s coming next, reducing resistance and anxiety.
As children grow, they can take on more responsibility for managing their routines. Fall is a perfect time to build independence skills. Some ideas include:
ABA strategies like a task analysis (which refers to breaking tasks into smaller steps) and positive reinforcement (praising or rewarding effort) make these skills easier to learn.
It’s tempting to fill every hour with activities, but children, especially those balancing school and therapy, need downtime. Rest gives them space to recharge and helps prevent burnout.
Even the best-planned routine won’t always go perfectly. Illness, school events, or unexpected changes can throw things off. Building flexibility into your mindset is just as important as sticking to a schedule.
Remember, flexibility is a skill that children learn over time with practice and support.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Your ABA team can be a valuable partner in helping your child adjust to the school-year routine. Together, you can:
Open communication between parents, teachers, and ABA providers ensures everyone is working toward the same goals.
Fall can feel a bit chaotic, but it’s important to pause and celebrate progress, no matter how small. Did your child get ready for school with fewer prompts? Transition from school to therapy without a meltdown? Try something new at recess? These are all wins worth recognizing.
Positive reinforcement isn’t just for kids, it’s for parents, too. Give yourself credit for the effort you put into creating structure and balance for your family.
Creating a smooth fall routine for children in ABA therapy doesn’t mean making life perfect or eliminating all challenges. Instead, it’s about setting up predictable structures, using ABA strategies to support transitions, and balancing school, therapy, and family time.
By planning ahead, staying flexible, and working closely with your child’s support team, you can make the back-to-school season less overwhelming and more manageable. Most importantly, you’ll help your child feel secure, supported, and ready to succeed, in school, in therapy, and in their daily life.
