Preparation for Secondary

[DinDjarin]

What do I need to know or think about? Might seem a bit early, but there is ASD in the mix so need extra time for preparation.

We shall be letting DS travel to a club alone after Easter to prepare him for taking the bus to school. The school is on the bus route and is 25 min walk away. Do you pay for the bus for the whole year, or give them an allowance and say you expect them to walk when the weather is decent? DS doesn't really do enough sport, doesn't mind walking so this would be good for him. However, he seems to have the impression he will be taking the bus every day...

Unless not viable financially, I’d let your son decide about taking the bus or walking. He will probably make friends on the route who take the bus or walk and that will persuade him for either/or.

Other things to help him prepare

• Understanding of money and keeping it safe.
• Time keeping and organisation such as getting up on time, knowing when homework is due, what day P.E. is etc
• Set up somewhere at home for him to keep himself organised, like some drawers he can put his books/homework in
• Prepare him for what to do if there is a problem like he loses his bus money or the bus doesn’t turn up
• Walk and ride the bus route with him a few times in preparation

When he starts to socialise teach him to txt you the letter H (for home) and you'll ring with an excuse for him to leave. No questions asked, you'll get him out of there. DS used it multiple times in year 7 when he found himself making friends with kids he didn't really click or feep comfortable with. He's year 9 now and found his tribe, his confidence and his voice.