Two roles, one transition — practical support for the weeks before day one and the first weeks after it.
For a lot of families raising an autistic child, the start of the school year isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s a change in routine, environment, and expectations all at once. These back-to-school tips for autism come straight from Hi Rasmus Ambassadors: BCBAs and educators who work through this transition every year, on both sides of the classroom door. We’ve turned their advice into a free, printable guide for families and a companion checklist for educators, plus a one-page “All About Me” profile families can fill out and hand to the new teacher.
Everything is available in English and Spanish in a single downloadable PDF, and it’s designed to be shared freely — print it, email it, or hand it out at a back-to-school night.
Thank you to our Ambassadors
This guide came together because our Hi Rasmus Ambassadors were generous enough to share what they’ve learned from years in the field — practical, specific advice for families preparing at home and educators preparing the classroom. Thank you to each of them for contributing:
- Emily Stead, BCBA, Ascend Behavior Partners
- Mindy Rothstein, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Owner, The Behavior Guru
- Jaclyn Blachly, M.Ed., BCBA, Founder and CEO, Reveal Ability
- Christine Kaminska, BCBA, LBA, Owner, Behavioral Fluency
- Rosalyn Holmes, BCBA, CEO, Au-Some Teacher ABA
What’s inside the guide
The guide is built around two simple truths: families and educators are navigating the same transition from different sides, and a little preparation in August saves a lot of stress in September. It’s organized into three parts —
- For families: what to do in the weeks before school starts and how to handle the first day itself.
- For educators: how to prepare before students arrive and what to prioritize in the first weeks of class.
- All About Me: a one-page profile families can complete and share with the teacher, covering likes, dislikes, communication style, sensory preferences, and what calms a child down.
Tips contributed by Hi Rasmus Ambassadors, shared with permission.
