New Program? No Problem!

Will your client/loved one be starting a new placement or program this fall?

Easing anxieties over a new placement, classroom, or program is essential for both short and long term success. Our apps can come in handy in this capacity as well. 

Try giving your loved one/client some input over what they will wear, bring for lunch, etc. on the first day of their new program or class by using My Choice Board to offer them the ability to make these choices for themselves. This will give them a feeling of confidence as they enter into the new environment/situation. 

Providing choices can give a measure of control to an individual who may be apprehensive about a new placement or program.

Make sure that all choices offered are readily available to avoid meltdowns, disappointment, or confusion.

If you have access to images of the new placement/classroom or can visit to take pictures yourself, use Scene Speak to create a social story/book of facts about the new program, including information about the teacher/supervisor, staff, classroom/building, and anything you notice that may capture their attention and hold it (if there's a bus yard close by and the individual loves buses, for example). The anticipation of entering into a new environment can become a positive thing if the individual has something interesting to look forward to.

Providing facts and details about new teachers or staff can make the individual more comfortable when entering a new situation.

Cater to the individual's interests if possible. Find items of interest in the new program/placement that will foster a sense of excitement as they enter the new setting.

If possible, make sure the schedule for the first day of attendance is iron-clad, to avoid the chaos that can accompany lack of structure. The more clear the individual can be about what will be happening, the easier it will be to accept the new placement/program. First Then Visual Schedule HD is excellent for this purpose, and once the regular structure of the program/classroom is established, Visual Schedule Planner can be used to form a more long-term schedule of daily events and activities.

Take known activities and create a schedule for the first few days of the new program or placement to ease anxieties about the new setting.

Once routines are established and familiar, expand upon the basic schedule to use with Visual Schedule Planner. This can always be added to/amended later, if necessary.

Also, if any major changes will be occurring (for us, the program is not changing, but the teacher is getting married over the summer, which means her name will be different when school resumes), you can get your client or loved one accustomed to those changes before they return. Concepts like name changes, or even something as small as a haircut/color change can be distressing, and making sure those differences and changes are addressed before the individual goes back to the program/school can make for a smoother re-entry.