{
  "id": 5257440,
  "title": "Supporting children with autism through back-to-school transition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/supporting-children-with-autism-through-back-to-school-transition",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-03T05:48:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/03/09/2026/supporting-children-with-autism-through-back-to-school-transition"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha, Qatar - Returning to school after a break can pose challenges for any child, but those with autism may find the transition especially difficult. The shift in routine, heightened sensory stimuli, and heightened social expectations can be particularly overwhelming. However, with careful preparation and close coordination between families and schools, the back-to-school period can be navigated more smoothly for children on the autism spectrum.\n\nDr. Hanadi A. Al-Mutairi, a Developmental Paediatric Fellow at Sidra Medicine, advises introducing changes gradually and customizing them to each child's needs. Consistency in daily routines, such as bedtime and waking times, can help children with autism feel more comfortable and regulated. Breaking down morning routines into smaller, predictable steps can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with morning preparations. Additionally, visual schedules, social stories, and discussing the child's day by reviewing pictures of school and familiarizing them with their teacher can make the new school year feel more manageable. Engaging the child in preparing their own belongings, such as their uniform, backpack, or lunch, can also provide a sense of structure and control.\n\nAmani Suhail, an autism specialist at Renad Academy, emphasizes the importance of paying attention to sensory demands when children return to school. The school environment can be highly stimulating, with loud sounds, bright lights, strong smells, and various textures that can be overwhelming for children with autism. Discussing appropriate accommodations with the school team, such as noise-reducing headphones, sensory tools, movement breaks, a quiet space, and extra transition time, can help create a more comfortable learning environment. Strong collaboration between home and school is crucial, as sharing observations from the classroom by the school team can provide valuable insights for both parents and educators.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: The first days and weeks of a new school year can be a significant adjustment for any child. But for children with autism, changes in routine, sensory demands, and social expectations can feel particularly overwhelming.</p> <p>As the new term begins, gradual adjustments, predictable routines, and close collaboration between home and school can help make the transition smoother and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Transition to school can be challenging for children with autism.",
    "Gradual changes and customized routines help ease the transition.",
    "Collaboration between home and school creates a supportive environment."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Careful planning and collaboration between families and schools can help children with autism navigate the back-to-school transition more smoothly by introducing gradual changes and providing a comfortable and structured learning environment.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}