The first week back at school always feels like standing at the edge of a cliff—you know you have to jump, but you’re never quite sure how you’ll land. For many families, it’s a mix of fresh notebooks, shiny shoes, and a few butterflies in the stomach. But for families of neurodiverse children, that first week can feel more like a storm: exciting, yes, but also overwhelming, unpredictable, and emotionally exhausting.
As parents to a neurodiverse child ourselves, we know the routine well. The night before school starts, you’re laying out uniforms and packing lunches, but you’re also rehearsing how to manage meltdowns, prepping for sensory overload, and praying that the new teacher will “get” your child.
Here are some of the most common struggles we’ve seen—and lived—during that first week back, along with small steps that can make next week just a little easier.
Real-Life Struggles in the First Week
1. Overwhelm from New Routines
One September, our son completely froze in the hallway on the very first morning. He knew where his classroom was, but the simple change of which coat hook was “his” was enough to stop him in his tracks. Many neurodiverse children thrive on predictability, and the sudden shift from summer rhythms to school schedules can feel like having the rug pulled out from under them.
2. Sensory Overload
Picture this: the lunch hall buzzing with voices, trays clattering, fluorescent lights glaring down. It’s no wonder many children cover their ears, hide under the table, or refuse to go in altogether. For a child with sensory processing differences, the first week can feel like a constant onslaught of sound, light, and movement that leaves them frayed by lunchtime.
3. Social Anxiety
Meeting a new teacher or remembering 20 new names isn’t easy for anyone—but when your child struggles with ADHD, dyslexia, or social communication differences, it can feel like being dropped into a game where everyone else knows the rules and you don’t. One year, our son kept asking, “Am I in trouble?” simply because he couldn’t remember which adult was which.
4. Difficulty with Transitions
Recess ending? Instant meltdown. Maths starting? Resistance. Even positive activities can be hard to leave behind. Once, our son’s teacher gently pried Lego bricks from his hand after playtime, which led to tears for the next hour. Moving from one thing to another can feel abrupt and even frightening when your brain craves structure.
5. Fatigue and Emotional Exhaustion
By Friday afternoon of that first week, many families see the same picture: a child who just collapses—sometimes in tears, sometimes in silence, sometimes in fiery outbursts. All the effort of “holding it together” in a new environment takes its toll. Home becomes the safe place to let it all out.
Five Simple Steps to Make Next Week Better
1. Prepare Visual Schedules
We stick ours on the fridge: a simple set of pictures showing school, lunch, play, home. Reviewing it each morning helps our son anchor his day, and it means fewer “What’s happening next?” panics. Visual schedules bring comfort through predictability.
2. Build in Sensory Breaks
We’ve worked with teachers to set up a “quiet corner” at school where our son can escape the chaos when it’s too much. Noise-cancelling headphones, a weighted keyring in his pocket, or a favourite fidget toy can give him just enough calm to re-enter the classroom without exploding.
3. Practice Social Scripts
We role-play at home: “Hi, my name is…” or “Can I play too?” It may feel awkward at the kitchen table, but when our son used one of those scripts to ask a classmate if he could join in, the pride on his face was worth every practice run.
4. Communicate with Teachers
We’ve learned to share not just what our son struggles with, but also what lights him up. A teacher knowing that he needs a minute to process instructions—or that he loves dinosaurs—has made transitions smoother and relationships stronger. Small conversations can prevent big problems.
5. Prioritize Rest and Downtime
After the first few days back, we ditched after-school clubs and just let him crash at home. Sometimes it’s Lego. Sometimes it’s just lying on the sofa with the dog. And that’s okay. Their brains and bodies need recovery time more than they need extra activities.
A Final Word for Parents
If your first week back felt like a rollercoaster—tears in the car park, forgotten PE kits, a meltdown in the lunch hall—you are not failing. You are navigating one of the hardest transitions of the year. Every child is unique, and there’s no magic formula. But small steps, patience, and a little creativity really can make the difference between surviving and thriving.
Remember: it’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about finding what works for your child, this week, in this moment. And that’s more than enough.
💛 At Made in Cobham, we design practical tools inspired by our own family’s journey with neurodiversity. Our hope is that by sharing stories like these, you’ll feel supported, encouraged, and reminded that you are not walking this road alone.