The Longest Transition of the Year

For many students, the transition from school to summer is exciting.

No alarms.

No homework.

No packed lunches.

No rushing to catch the bus.

But for students with FASD and other neurodevelopmental differences, the end of the school year can bring mixed emotions.

School is more than a place to learn. It often provides something equally important: routine.

Each day follows a familiar rhythm. The same bus arrives at roughly the same time. The same teachers, classmates, classrooms, and expectations help create a sense of predictability.

Then suddenly, it all changes.

The bus stops coming.

The classroom is empty.

Friends are harder to see.

Schedules shift.

Summer camps begin—or don't.

Days that were once carefully structured become much more open-ended.

For some students, that sounds wonderful.

For others, it can feel unsettling.

Many families notice that behaviours sometimes increase at the beginning of summer. A child may seem more emotional, more anxious, more irritable, or more dysregulated. It can be easy to assume they're simply excited about summer vacation.

Sometimes they are.

But sometimes they're navigating one of the biggest transitions of the year.

The same thing happens in reverse when summer ends.

As September approaches, students are expected to transition back into early mornings, classrooms, social expectations, learning routines, and bus schedules—often after weeks of doing things very differently.

That's a lot of change for any brain to manage.

The good news is that a little preparation can go a long way.

📅 Use calendars or countdowns to mark important dates.

🚌 Talk about upcoming changes before they happen.

🎒 Visit new schools or classrooms when possible.

⏰ Maintain some routines throughout the summer.

❤️ Expect adjustment periods and allow time for them.

Most importantly, remember that transitions are not simply events.

They are processes.

Some students may need a few extra days, a few extra reminders, or a little extra support while their brains catch up to what has changed around them.

And that's okay.

Because whether it's the last bus ride in June or the first bus ride in September, every successful transition begins with understanding.