Transition tips

Autistic children and young people can find transition very difficult. This could be changing year groups, moving schools or going to college or university.

Changing year groups

A change in classroom, teacher, teaching/learning support assistant or peer group can make autistic pupils anxious as it will mean a change to their routine. Here are some things you can do before the end of the school year to help prepare them for change:

arrange a one to one meeting for them with their new teacher
plan a time for them to visit their new classroom when there are no other pupils there
identify a buddy from their new peer group
make sure that their new teacher has an understanding of their individual needs and any strategies that are used to support them in the classroom.

Moving schools

A successful transition from one education setting to another needs good communication between both schools. It’s important that education staff:

are aware of the school’s legal responsibilities during the transition process
personalise the process to meet the needs of pupil they are working with
plan well in advance, involving the autistic child or young person, the team around them and their parents/carers
arrange visits to the new education setting so that the pupil can become familiar with the environment and teaching staff
encourage them to take photographs whilst visiting, they can then have a visual record of their new school and teacher
organise peer support, eg a friendship group or buddy system.

Going to college or university

The following information has been put together with the help of an experienced lead from a specialist unit within a mainstream school.

Plan, personalise and prepare

Ensure that careers education and planning programmes form part of the young person’s transition plan and appropriately reflect their individual requirements (National Transition Support Team, 2011).
Help them to choose goals that are realistic and achievable, but don’t limit them.
Support and encourage them to reach their full potential and work hard towards their goals.
Plan well in advance with the key people involved - the young person, their parents/carers, SENCO, advocate (if necessary), teachers and staff from the new setting, eg teacher, lecturer, support worker, employer.
Use visual aids, eg videos and photographs of key people and buildings.
Start travel training early. It may be a long and intense learning process, but one that can be very rewarding as you see autistic pupils become more independent.
Be aware of the importance of social skills and social confidence.
Organise familiarisation visits to the new college or employer. These can be as staggered, eg trip to gate, trip to outside college and then a separate trip to inside.
Have college staff visit your school to meet specific students.
Organise peer support, eg a friendship group, buddy system if the young person is moving to the school’s 6th form.
Arrange visits from students/employees who are already at the future college or place of employment.
Advise that staff at the new education placement or employer have understanding autism training.

Further help from our charity

Read our transition information for parents on starting or changing school. It contains information about how school and parents can work together and is specific to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Read Autism transitioning from primary to secondary school

Contact our Transition Support Service

Find out about Brain in Hand autism support app