ABSTRACT

Pupils on the autistic spectrum have difficulties with the process of transition. The extent of these difficulties will vary from pupil to pupil. Difficulties will differ widely from anxieties around wearing new clothes, stopping an activity and moving to another, to changing classes or transferring to another school or post 16 provision. Pupils may not be able to express their anxieties or even recognise them for themselves and so it is essential that staff are constantly vigilant and analytical of behaviour challenges that may be arising from transition difficulties. The issues should then be addressed in the most appropriate way to the individual pupil. Micro transitions are those movements that may appear small or even insignificant but that may cause huge anxieties to pupils on the autistic spectrum. Social stories are an invaluable method of preparing pupils for micro transitions. Social stories will also support macro transitions.