Back-to-School With Less Stress for Autism Moms and Caregivers

The start of a new school year can be exciting—but if you're parenting or caring for a child with autism, it can also feel like standing at the edge of a cliff, bracing for the unknown.

New teachers. New routines. Sensory changes. Unexpected behaviors.

And in the middle of it all, you, doing your best to hold it together with love, grit, and maybe too much coffee or tea.

If this season feels overwhelming, you're not alone.

And more importantly, you don't have to figure it all out alone.

That's why I wrote 'You've Got This: A Handbook for Navigating Autism with Confidence.'

It's the book I wish someone had handed me at the beginning of every school year. A roadmap to emotional survival, rooted in real experience, with honest stories, practical tips, and reminders that you matter, too.

💡 Here Are 5 Back-to-School Tips to Ease the Transition:

1. Create a Visual Daily Routine

Autistic children thrive on predictability. Use visuals (pictures, icons, or simple words) to map out their daily school schedule, including what happens before and after school. Practice the routine a week ahead.

➡ You can learn more strategies in our Free Downloadable Resource, 'Simplify Autism'. Please click the link to download.

2. Prepare a "Calm Kit" for the Backpack

Include a few sensory-regulating tools that your child can access discreetly, such as a chewy necklace, a stress ball, or a favorite fidget toy. Please ensure that teachers are aware of them.

3. Schedule a Brief Meeting With the Teacher or Attend the Meet the Teacher Event

Even if you've already submitted an IEP or the teacher is your child’s case manager and wrote your child’s IEP, schedule 10–15 minutes with the new teacher to introduce your child in your own words. Share what works, what doesn't, and how to support them emotionally, not just academically. Remember, you're the expert on your child. And your voice matters. Meet the Teacher is also an excellent opportunity for your child to get familiar with their classroom and their teachers.

4. Give Yourself Permission to Grieve (Again)

Back-to-school season often reactivates feelings of grief, anxiety, and uncertainty. I've seen that sometimes my parents struggle to let go of their children. 😅 Let yourself feel those feelings. You're not "too emotional"—you are deeply invested in your child's success.

5. Celebrate the Small Wins

Is your child making it through the day without a meltdown? That's huge. Are you getting your child out the door with your sanity intact? That's a win. Celebrate progress, not perfection.

🌟 You don't have to wait for the end of the year to be proud.

✨ Let This Be the Year You Also Care for You

As you prepare your child for school, who's preparing you?

You deserve support. Encouragement. A guide written by someone who understands what it's like to carry both the paperwork and the emotions.

➡ That's what the book, ‘You've Got This!’  is for.

📘👉 Click here to Order You've Got This! Today and Start the Year with more Confidence to support your autistic child.

Your child deserves a calm and supportive parent.

And you deserve to feel confident, seen, and strong as this new school year begins. You're doing better than you think.

And remember, You've Got This!

Please share this blog with someone you know who may need this message. 

With love and encouragement,

Dolly Tampos Oksman

Author • Special Educator • Autism Advocate

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About Dolly

Dolly Tampos Oksman, MA, MAED-SPED, is a Transformational Speaker, Author, Certified Wellness Coach, Special Education Teacher, and Behavior Analyst. She is the Founder and Owner of Love. Heal. Believe. LLC.

Dolly experienced chronic stress that affected her mental and emotional health. However, when she entered the convent to be a missionary nun, she learned the secrets of how to live a fulfilled life with inner peace and joy. Today, she is sharing those secrets with you.

Dolly is on a mission to help you develop a deeper love for yourself and find long-term solutions to stress. Her new book, Finding Your Lost Self, which is also available on AMAZON and her programs & Services will take you on a step-by-step journey to a happier, healthier, and calmer life with less stress. 

Please contact Dolly HERE.