It's no secret that people on the autism spectrum don't like change. So how can we help students with autism manage changes in their schedules and transitions? There are a few techniques that when used consistently can help reduce anxiety and give a sense of predictability to transitions.

Here are five transition tips to help your student with autism.

1. Create a Schedule A schedule can be a written list of activities the student will participate in during the day, a sequence of pictures or both. Schedules help a student to prepare for the transition by allowing them to see the upcoming activity and understand the sequence of activities that will occur. Research has shown that consistently using schedules increases independence, decreases transition time and melt downs.

2. Show Activities as Finished Allowing the student with autism to assist in designating an activity as finished can help them prepare for the transition. If using a picture schedule have a finished pocket for the child to place the picture of the activity they completed in. Laminate schedules with a box next to each picture that the student can check off as complete. Write out the schedule and allow the student to cross each item off as it is completed.

3. Use a Timer Time is an abstract concept that can be difficult for your student with autism to understand. Using a timer gives students a visual of how much time is left before a transition. It can also help to keep some students on task for projects they don't like, because they can see it has an end. Some timers, like the Time Timer give an additional visual of the countdown of time.

4. Allow adequate time for the transition. No one likes to be rushed. Especially when introducing new routines at school allow adequate time for the student with autism to process the transition and move on to the next activity.

5. Provide a transition object. Sometimes carrying a familiar object through each transition can add a sense of predictability and comfort to the transition. The student can either keep the object with them throughout the day, or go get the object after they have finished a project to move with them to the next activity.