01/07/2026
🗓️ The transition from “Holiday Mode” back to “School Mode” can feel like a mountain for neurodivergent kiddos (and their parents!). 🏔️
After weeks of unstructured time, treats, and sensory-rich celebrations, the return to rigid school schedules often leads to burnout, meltdowns, or “masking” exhaustion. If your household is feeling the slump this week, you aren’t alone!
Here are 3 concrete ways to help your child find their rhythm again:
1️⃣ Dust Off the Visual Schedule: Routine is safety. Even if they “know” the routine, seeing it mapped out (Breakfast → Backpack → Bus) reduces the cognitive load of navigating a transition day.
2️⃣ Schedule “Proactive” Sensory Breaks: Don’t wait for a meltdown to head to the swing or the heavy blankets. Build in 5–10 minutes of sensory regulation before homework or high-stress transitions.
3️⃣ The “Soft Landing” Evening: For the first week back, keep extracurriculars light. Prioritize “low-demand” evenings with familiar foods and early bedtimes to help their nervous systems recalibrate.
