Preparing Children for Post-Holiday Transitions

The end of the holiday break often brings mixed emotions for families. While routines returning can feel grounding for some children, the transition back to school or therapy can be especially difficult for children with autism. After days or weeks of flexible schedules, special events, and increased downtime; returning to expectations, early mornings, and structured environments can feel overwhelming.

Transitions require adjustment, predictability, and emotional readiness. The good news is that with a little intentional preparation during the last few days of break, families can help ease this shift and reduce stress for everyone involved.

Why Returning to Routine Can Feel So Hard

Children with autism often thrive on predictability and structure. During the holiday break, routines naturally change; bedtimes may shift, meals occur at different times, therapy sessions may pause or occur at different times, and days are likely to feel less structured. While the break itself can be enjoyable, the sudden return to expectations can feel abrupt and unsettling.

Some children may show signs of difficulty such as:

• Increased anxiety or resistance
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• More frequent meltdowns or withdrawal
• Difficulty following directions

These responses are not signs of misbehavior; they are signals that a child may need more support navigating change. Preparing ahead of time helps children feel safer, more confident, and more capable of handling what’s coming next.

Strategies Parents can Use to Support a Smooth Transition

The most effective transition strategies are simple, proactive, and embedded into daily life. Below are practical, ABA-aligned tools families can begin using in the final days of the holiday break.

Reintroduce Visual Schedules

Visual schedules help children understand what to expect and what comes next. After time away from school or therapy, reintroducing a visual schedule can help re-establish predictability.

How to use this strategy:

• Start with a simple daily schedule at home (morning, afternoon, evening)
• Gradually add school-related or therapy-related visuals
• Review the schedule together each day
• Refer to it throughout the day to reinforce expectations

Visual schedules don’t need to be elaborate. Simple pictures, written lists, or even drawings can be effective as long as they are consistent and clear.

Practice Morning Routines Ahead of Time

Mornings are often one of the hardest parts of returning to school or therapy. Practicing morning routines before the first day back can reduce anxiety and increase success.

Try this in the last few days of break:

• Wake up slightly earlier each day.
• Practice getting dressed, eating breakfast, and packing a bag.
• Use a visual checklist for each step of the routine.
• Walk or drive the route to school or therapy if helpful.

Practicing without the pressure of being “on time” allows children to build confidence and familiarity.

Take a Look Ahead at the First Day Back

Looking ahead helps reduce uncertainty by answering the question, “What’s going to happen?”

Ways to review the upcoming first day back to school or other typical activities:

• Talk through the first day step-by-step
• Look at pictures of the school, classroom, or therapy center.
• Review the child’s schedule or therapist’s name.
• Read a simple social story about returning after break.

Reviewing the first day should be calming and reassuring, not overwhelming. Keep language positive and age-appropriate.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a core principle of ABA and can be especially helpful during transitions. Reinforcement helps increase desired behaviors by pairing them with positive outcomes.

Reinforcement examples to highlight during transitions:

• Praise efforts like getting dressed or following the routine.
• Offer a preferred activity after completing a routine.
• Use a small reward for trying something new.
• Acknowledge flexibility and coping skills.

Focus on reinforcing effort, not perfection. Even small steps forward deserve recognition.

Maintain Some Predictability During the Last Days of Break

Rather than making the last days of break entirely unstructured, adding gentle structure can help bridge the gap between break and routine.

Helpful ideas include:

• Keeping consistent meal and sleep times.
• Planning predictable daily activities.
• Using “school-like” routines for short periods.
• Limiting last-minute schedule changes when possible.

This gradual shift helps children adjust without feeling like routines are returning all at once.

Support Emotional Regulation

Transitions often bring big feelings. Helping children identify and manage emotions can make returning to routine feel more manageable.

Support strategies include:

• Naming feelings (“It’s okay to feel nervous”)
• Offering calming activities (deep breathing, movement, quiet time)
• Using visual emotion charts
• Providing extra comfort and reassurance

Emotional regulation skills take time to develop. During transitions, children may need additional support and that’s okay.

Keep Expectations Realistic

It’s important to remember that the first few days back may not be perfect and they don’t need to be. Some children may take longer to adjust and that doesn’t mean the transition plan failed.

Progress may look like:

• Shorter meltdowns
• Increased participation
• Faster recovery after challenges
• Small improvements in routine follow-through

These small wins add up over time; They show that progress is moving in the right direction.

Working Together With Teachers and Therapists

If your child receives therapy or school-based support, communication can be helpful during transitions.

Consider:

• Sharing what strategies worked during break
• Asking about classroom routines
• Aligning visuals or language used at home and school
• Letting providers know if your child needs extra support initially

Consistency across environments supports smoother transitions and reduces confusion.

Successful Transitions Back to School

Transitioning back to school can be difficult but they can also be a bit less stressful. With a little preparation, predictability, and positive support, families can help children with autism move from holiday break back into school or therapy with much greater confidence and peace of mind.

Reintroducing routines, practicing skills, and offering reassurance in the final days of break can make a meaningful difference. The small steps you take today can prevent bigger challenges tomorrow.