Preparing Your Child with Autism for Annual & Sports Day

Major school events—like Annual Day and Sports Day—bring excitement, color, and structure, but they can also create stress for children with autism. With changes in routine, sensory stimuli, and heightened social expectations, these events may bring restlessness or behavioral shifts. The key? Advance preparation.

1. Why Preparation Matters

Children on the spectrum thrive on predictability. Sudden deviations in schedule—like dancing during an assembly or cheering at a match—can disrupt their sense of security. Preparing them ahead helps reduce anxiety and unwanted behaviors.

2. Practical Strategies

• Visual Schedules: Share a simple visual timeline—a calendar or picture board—that shows when the event will start, key activities during the day, and where transitions will happen.
• Practice Routines: Rehearse key parts of the event. For example, you might mimic walking on stage or listening to announcements—this sets expectations.
• Visit the Venue (if possible): Walk through the school hall, field, or stage area beforehand to help familiarize your child with the space.
• Discuss Changes in Advance: Explain that school will run differently that day—there may be loud music, crowds, or teachers in unfamiliar attire. Preparation reduces surprises.
• Sensory Strategies: If the environment will be overwhelming, bring ear defenders, comfort items, or activity tools to help your child remain calm.

3. Planning Together Builds Confidence

Open communication between parents, teachers, and the child is crucial. Joint planning sessions—perhaps using pictures, social stories, or role-plays—create a sense of readiness and participation.

Don’t wait for the day itself. Preparing your child for sensory, schedule, and social changes helps them approach school events with more comfort, control, and calmness. Advance planning isn’t just helpful—it’s compassionate empowerment.

This video was created by Communiverse, an organisation founded by Deepa Bhat Nair, that works across India, the UK, and the US to empower adolescents and young adults through evidence-based therapy programs. Their approach blends research-backed methods with accessibility, fostering empathy and inclusion for neurodiverse individuals and their families. You can learn more about their work at communiverse.in.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.