Transitions are hard. Summer is coming. Let’s talk about it.

There’s something about the phrase “end of the school year” that hits differently when autism is in the picture.

For most people, it brings images of sunshine, popsicles, and maybe a few “we made it!” selfies on the last day. But for many autistic kids—and the families who love them—it can feel more like the floor is dropping out from under a very carefully built routine.

We get it. Big changes are hard. Even “good” ones.

So what’s actually happening?

Let’s break it down. The end of the school year brings:

A disruption to structure and routine
A loss of familiar supports (like EA’s, teachers, or resource rooms)
The social overwhelm of graduations, class parties, and goodbyes
Anticipation of summer programs… or a whole lot of unstructured time

That’s a lot of transition packed into just a few weeks. And for autistic students who thrive on predictability, that transition can feel like trying to read a map in a language you don’t speak—while riding a rollercoaster.

Okay, so what can help?

We’re not here to offer magic fixes. (If we had one, we’d be using it ourselves.) But here are a few strategies that might soften the landing:

1. Start Talking About the End Early

Use a visual countdown or calendar. Talk through what “the last day” means and what changes are coming before they’re right on top of you.

2. Preview the Summer Plan (Even If It’s Not Fully Set Yet)

You don’t need a perfect itinerary—just a sense of what “summer mode” will look like. Who’s home when? Will there be camp? What stays the same?

Predictability helps reduce anxiety, even if you’re only offering general outlines like:

“On weekdays, we’ll still wake up at 8.”
“Mondays are for park mornings.”

3. Celebrate the Wins—but Gently

You don’t have to throw a party (unless you want to!). A simple “You did it. School is done, and that was a lot” can go a long way. Recognize the effort it took to get through the year, even if it didn’t look traditional.

4. Don’t Panic About the Meltdowns

Even with prep, there may still be tears, shutdowns, or grumpy silences. That doesn’t mean you messed up. It just means it’s a transition—and transitions are messy. You’re doing great.

5. Leave Room for Emotions (All of Them)

Endings are weird. There can be relief, grief, excitement, sadness, and everything in between—all at once. You don’t need to fix those feelings. Just make space for them.

You’re not alone in this.

If this season has you feeling overwhelmed or unsure, reach out. Whether it’s a friend, a support worker, or your community (hey, that’s us!), you deserve support too.

The school year might be ending, but you’ve still got a team behind you.

School's Almost Out: Preparing for the End of the Year with Autism