Spring is supposed to feel fresh and hopeful. The snow melts, the days get longer, and everyone starts talking about “new beginnings.”

But for many autistic individuals - and the families who love them - spring can feel less like a fresh start and more like a full system update… without warning.

We know that transitions are rarely as simple as flipping the calendar. Seasons change quickly. Routines shift. Sensory input ramps up. And sometimes, all of that at once can be overwhelming.

The good news? With a little preparation (and a lot of grace), spring can become something your autistic loved one feels ready for - instead of surprised by.

🌦️ 1. Talk About the Changes Before They Happen

Spring doesn’t arrive quietly.

Snow disappears.
Puddles appear.
Birds get louder.
Daylight stretches later into the evening.

For someone who thrives on predictability, that’s a lot.

Start narrating the shift before it fully arrives:

“The snow is melting - soon the grass will show.”
“It’s getting brighter later. We might need to close the blinds at bedtime.”
“Spring means we’ll start wearing lighter jackets.”

Visual calendars, social stories, or even simple photo comparisons (winter vs. spring) can help make the invisible visible.

Preparation doesn’t remove change - but it reduces the shock of it.

👕 2. Ease Into Clothing Transitions

Winter gear is consistent. It’s familiar. It’s predictable.

Spring? Not so much.

One day it’s boots. The next it’s sneakers. Sometimes both in the same week.

If your loved one struggles with clothing textures or transitions:

Introduce spring clothes gradually.
Let them try new outfits inside first.
Keep a “safe” backup outfit available.
Offer choices within limits (“light sweater or hoodie?”).

For some autistic individuals, clothing is regulation. Giving them time to adjust matters.

🌳 3. Prepare for Outdoor Sensory Shifts

Spring brings beauty - and a sensory explosion.

Brighter sunlight
Wind
Mud
Pollen
Lawn mowers
Neighbourhood kids playing again

For someone with sensory sensitivities, this can feel like the volume knob just got turned up.

Consider:

Sunglasses or hats for light sensitivity
Headphones for outdoor noise
Checking playgrounds or parks during quieter hours
Talking through what they might hear, smell, or feel before going outside

You don’t need to avoid spring. Just scaffold it.

🕒 4. Watch for Routine Drift

Spring often brings:

Schedule changes at school
Sports starting up
Holiday weekends
Appointments shifting

Even subtle routine changes can feel big.

Keep:

Visual schedules updated
Countdowns to known events
Clear communication about “what’s staying the same”

Sometimes reassurance sounds like: “Yes, it’s spring. But bedtime is still bedtime.”

Consistency is grounding.

🌱 5. Build in Regulation Time

Longer days can mean more expectations - more outings, more activities, more social invitations.

Autistic nervous systems often need intentional downtime.

If your loved one starts seeming more irritable, withdrawn, or dysregulated, it may not be “behaviour.”

It may simply be a full system.

Protect quiet time. Keep favourite comfort activities accessible. Let spring be exciting - but not exhausting.

💛 6. Honour Mixed Feelings

Spring can be joyful and hard at the same time.

Maybe your child loves puddles but hates wet socks.

Maybe they’re excited for the park but overwhelmed by crowds.

Maybe they miss the predictability of winter.

Both things can be true.

We don’t need to force positivity. We can sit beside them in the in-between.

A Gentle Reminder

Preparing for spring isn’t about preventing every meltdown. It’s about reducing unnecessary stress and increasing predictability.

It’s about noticing.

It’s about adjusting.

It’s about meeting your autistic loved one where they are - even when the season changes around them.

And if spring feels messy some days?

That’s okay too.

Growth rarely looks tidy.

We’re cheering you on this season - puddles, pollen, and all. 🌷

Preparing Your Autistic Loved One for Spring