Anxiety in autism

[WhyDoesItAlways]

DS7 has been diagnosed with autism. He functions well in mainstream school but his biggest difficulty is anxiety. It's worse the first day back after holidays and on some Mondays after the weekend (hence my post today). He's at an age where I can get him to school with some encouragement about taking his scooter, seeing his friends etc and he's usually fine by the time we get there. I also break down his morning into just concentrating on one task at a time to try and stop him overthinking. But I'm worried this is going to get harder the older he gets.

I'm basically here asking for your collective experience of strategies that could help him learn to manage his anxiety around going to school. I know this is a big ask but I'm worried as he gets older he could end up refusing school so would like to do all I can before it becomes too late.

I absolutely understand how he feels as I struggle with anxiety over seemingly minor things and I know as an adult what strategies I use. Most of these involve me reasoning with myself which just wouldn't work on a 7 year old.

School haven't been particularly helpful, not even got him on a myplan since his diagnosis so I'm hoping if I go to them with some strategies this might encourage them to help. I'm obviously willing to do whatever I can at home too.

How is DS with other transitions?

The anxiety is likely to be related to DS’s unmet needs arising from autism. If those needs are better met the anxiety is likely to reduce. Request a meeting with the SENCO and remind them they must make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN and make reasonable adjustments.

Can DS articulate what it is about school he finds challenging?

Would arriving and leaving 5/10 mins early or late via a quieter entrance help? If lunchtimes are difficult would eating somewhere quieter &/or a lunch club help? If assembly is difficult would not going to that help?

Does the school have anyone who can support emotional literacy work or something like drawing and talking? Do they run a nurture group?

The school could look at what they can do within the classroom e.g. placement within the room, does DS need more support with the content of the work, does he need movement breaks, would ear defenders or noise cancelling headphones help. Does DS have a daily/weekly timetable so he knows what is happening and when? Does the school provide notice of changes.

Has anyone mentioned play therapy before?