Preparing a child with autism for school is a unique journey filled with both challenges and opportunities. Getting a child with autism ready for school isn’t as easy as it may seem. Many children on the autism spectrum experience difficulties with sensory processing, motor skills, speech, attention, and social interaction. These challenges mean that they often require extra support to learn and adapt to school environment, where independence, rule-following, focus, and self-directed learning are key.

Understanding the Challenges of Autism in school

For children with autism, everyday school routines can be overwhelming. They might struggle with:

• Sensory Issues: Over- or under-sensitivity to lights, sounds, or textures.
• Motor Skills: Difficulties with fine motor skills like writing or using scissors.
• Speech and Communication: Challenges with expressing needs or understanding instructions.
• Attention and Focus: Difficulty staying engaged in classroom activities.
• Social skills: Struggles to follow rules, interact/cooperate with peers.

Because of these challenges, preparing your autism child for an school requires a tailored approach that addresses these specific needs.

A Simplified School Readiness Checklist for 6-Year-Olds Autism

Below is a checklist that can help you gauge whether your autism child is ready for school. Use this as a guide to identify areas where your child might need extra support:

Academic Skills

• Fine motor skills: Able to color, draw a straight line with a ruler, and use scissors.
• Copying Skills: Able to copy from the whiteboard without support.
• Math Skills: Able to solve simple math problems like addition and subtraction (numbers 1-20).
• Reading: Able to read short sentences.
• Writing: Able to write simple words.
• Reading Comprehension: Able to understand simple texts and answer questions

Behaviour

• Following Routines: Able to follow classroom routines and a daily timetable.
• Seating: Able to remain seated for periods.
• Group activities: Able to stay with the group and participate.
• Emotional Regulation: Rarely tantrums or cries when things do not go his or her way.

Speech

• Asking for Help: Knows how to ask for help when needed.
• Response Skills: Able to answer simple questions.
• Communication: Able to express needs and feelings (e.g., “I am hungry,” “I feel sick,” “I don’t know”).
• Following Instructions: Able to follow multi-step instructions (e.g. put your book here after finish page 6).

Independent Skills

• Work Completion: Able to complete assigned work independently.
• Toileting: Can use the toilet independently.
• Eating: Able to eat independently.
• Self-care: Takes care of own belongings.

Social Skills

• Sharing and Turn-Taking: Can share and take turns with others.
• Coping with Loss: Can deal with losing or making mistakes well.
• Receiving Feedback: Able to take negative feedback from a teacher calmly.
• Group Participation: Can participate in group activities without significant distress.

Extra Support When Needed

If you notice that your child is struggling with many of the items on this checklist, it might be time to seek additional support. At our center, we specialize in providing tailored assistance for children with autism. Our one-to-one behaviour therapy and group social skills training programs are designed to help your child pick up essential skills for school readiness.

We have successfully helped many children with autism thrive in various educational settings—whether in government schools or homeschool environments. Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and individualized to each child’s unique needs.

Interested in learning more?

Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can support your child’s journey towards school readiness and beyond. Let’s work together to ensure that your child is fully prepared to embrace all the opportunities that school has to offer.

Learn more:

A Typical 3-Hour Autism Therapy Session at Kidz Steps Centre

Inside an EIP Centre: A Look at Early Intervention Programs

The Benefits of Social Skills Training for Children with Special Needs

Supporting Autism Through After-School Activities Program