Autism daycare: How to prepare your autistic child

Autism daycare: How do I prepare my autistic child?

The transition can be hard, but rewarding for everyone. We’ve got your back with 10 helpful expert tips:

1. Find the right daycare: There are larger centers experienced in caring for children with autism. Get to know the staff and their training. Ask questions to help daycares be more successful working with your child. If there aren’t any near you, smaller in-home daycares can give your child a more personalized experience with your help. For example, my mom runs a licensed daycare program from our home, helping up to 6 (neurodivergent and neurotypical) kiddos at a time. You can search for options on Beaming Health or Winnie’s special needs directory.
2. Take a pre-daycare visit: Pop in with your kiddo to check out the place. See if it’s a good fit and get your child familiar with the new surroundings. Some programs might ask that you visit during off-hours for safety reasons (e.g., to avoid spreading germs).
3. Chat with the daycare staff: Share details about your child’s autism diagnosis, strengths, and challenges. Building open lines of communication will help you work together to support your child’s needs. Prepare the daycare provider to work with your child with a physical guidebook. This guidebook can include all of your child’s favorite things and how to calm them down. You might already have one ready from your experience with babysitters or teachers!
4. Create a social story: Develop a social story or visual schedule for your child that introduces the daycare routine, activities, and expectations. Use simple language and visuals to help your child understand what to expect.
5. Baby steps: Ask your potential provider if you can gradually introduce daycare by starting with short visits. And then increasing the time over days or weeks. This helps your child adjust to the environment and routines at their own pace.
6. Comfort is key: Make sure your child can bring a favorite toy or blanket for comfort. Having something familiar can ease anxiety in a new environment. Explain any stims your child does to soothe and comfort themselves.
7. Routine rules: Consistency and predictability are great for autistic children. Work with the daycare staff to establish a routine that suits your child’s needs. Clear schedules and transitions can help reduce anxiety. Most daycare programs are Monday to Friday. Some provide overnight and weekend options. When you do care for your child, stick to the daycare’s schedule. For example, if all the kids nap at noon for a couple of hours, do that for your child at home too!
8. Open conversations: Regularly communicate with the daycare staff to discuss your child’s progress, challenges, and adjustments. Working together as a team ensures your child’s development and well-being are supported.

What’s the best age to put my child in daycare?

Most children go to daycare before they enter preschool at age 3 or 4. Most children stop daycare at the age of 6 when they go to school. Children who are homeschooled might continue daycare programs. Kids diagnosed with autism or other developmental disabilities might be in both daycare and therapy programs longer. Special needs programs and centers help children up to 26 years old.

Many people believe 12 months is the ideal age to introduce your little one to daycare. Realistically, many parents are not able to wait this long and have to work when their baby is a few months old. In America, a lot of parents get only 3 months of maternity or paternity leave. Separation anxiety hits its peak around the 9-month mark. If you have the chance, waiting a little longer gives your baby a better chance to adjust and thrive in their new daycare environment.

Some childcare centers or providers offer care for infants as young as 6 weeks old. Children who start daycare earlier will develop an attachment to another adult in addition to their parents. There are many pros and cons to having your child in daycare versus staying with a relative. For bonding purposes, a relative might generally be better. For social and cognitive development, a daycare can be better (if it’s a quality daycare).

Why should I put my child in daycare?

Why is daycare worth considering for your little one? Here are a few benefits:

• Social Development: Daycare provides an opportunity for children to interact and socialize with their peers. They can learn valuable social skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperation, which can lay a strong foundation for their future relationships.
• Cognitive Development: Quality daycare centers offer stimulating activities and age-appropriate educational programs. This environment can enhance children’s cognitive abilities, language skills, and problem-solving capabilities, preparing them for future academic success. Watch out for daycares that use state and federal standards and those that don’t.
• Structure and Routine: Daycare centers typically follow a structured schedule, providing autistic children with a predictable routine. This can promote a sense of security and help them develop good habits, including regular eating and sleeping patterns.
• Professional Care and Supervision: Daycare centers should employ trained caregivers who have experience in early childhood development. Not all do. Seek professionals can provide proper care, attention, and supervision, ensuring the safety and well-being of your child.
• Preparation for School: Daycare can serve as a stepping stone for the transition to formal schooling. Children learn to adapt to a structured environment, follow instructions, and participate in group activities, which can ease their transition to kindergarten. Note that a traditional school environment isn’t always the best fit for neurodivergent kids. Every family’s needs are different.
• Parental Convenience: For working parents, daycare offers a reliable childcare option that allows them to pursue their careers. In many cases, children can grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

By collaborating with the daycare staff, you’ll create a nurturing environment that helps your child thrive. Our friends at Winnie also wrote a great guide on transitioning children from daycare to kindergarten. You’ve got this!

Written by Amy Gong and edited by Jeryn Cambrah. Amy is a neurodivergent marketing executive at Beaming Health, helping her mom run a daycare of six amazing kids in LA. Jeryn Cambrah is a neurodivergent mother of an autistic child. She's passionate about equipping parents with the knowledge they need to help their children thrive.