One important milestone for children with autism is the move from full-time ABA therapy into a traditional school setting. With growing concerns about how changes at the national level might impact public education — including autism accommodations at school such as IEPs or 504 plans — many parents are wondering what lies ahead.
While no one can predict the future, one thing remains clear: having a gradual, well-supported plan in place can make a big difference.
“It’s important to have the discussion about a transition with your service providers pretty early on,” says Reena Naami-Dier, M.S., BCBA, LBA, owner of Spark Center for Autism in Farmington Hills.
She recommends starting the conversation six to 12 months in advance, which gives families time to plan, ask questions and build a smooth transition path for their child.
Planning early, transitioning gradually
Rather than switching from ABA to school overnight, Naami-Dier recommends what’s called a “titration of services” — a gradual adjustment where ABA support decreases as school time increases.
This step-by-step approach allows children to practice the skills they’ll need in school while still receiving the support that has helped them thrive.
The idea is to avoid sudden changes that can be overwhelming. Naami-Dier shares that when transitions move too quickly, children may struggle with classroom challenges that didn’t come up in therapy. “In those cases, we can take a step back, reevaluate and work through the challenge one-on-one.”
Building school-ready skills
Many children with autism benefit from extra practice with group learning and classroom routines. At Spark Center, children work on these skills in a supportive environment — starting with simple group activities like circle time, songs and sharing stories.
“We use group settings early on to help children get comfortable listening to a teacher, participating with peers and following broad instructions,” Naami-Dier explains. These settings mimic real classrooms but include individualized support when needed.
Through Spark Center for Autism’s school transition and readiness (STAR) program, kids practice skills like:
- Following group instructions
- Working independently for longer stretches
- Engaging in classroom routines like circle time
- Managing behaviors during challenging or non-preferred tasks
These supports mirror common autism accommodations at school — such as behavior reinforcement systems, visual cues or quiet work time — helping children adjust before entering a larger classroom setting.
The STAR program also includes familiar school-style reinforcements — like color-coded behavior charts or points to earn small rewards — so children can build comfort and confidence in settings that resemble school.
What happens when autism accommodations at school change
With current shifts in the education landscape, families may have questions about the stability of their child’s school supports — especially autism accommodations at school that are part of an IEP or 504 plan.
“During times of uncertainty, we find that parents feel more confident when they have a trusted support team and a clear roadmap for their child’s next steps,” says Naami-Dier.
Spark Center for Autism therapists can observe children in their school environments and collaborate with teachers to smooth out bumps in the road. This partnership can help children adjust more easily and allow parents to advocate more effectively.
Parents as partners
Throughout the transition process, parents play a central role.
“Every child is unique and parents know their child best,” says Naami-Dier. Spark provides parent training and encourages open communication so that families feel confident and equipped.
Naami-Dier says that families are often given resources for social skills groups, activities and other supports that complement the transition to school.
With strong collaboration between parents, therapists and educators, the transition from ABA to school can be a confident step forward.
This content is sponsored by Spark Center for Autism. Learn more at sparkcenterforautism.com.
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