How to Transition Back into a Virtual School Routine

Whether your learner is autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, or twice-exceptional, shifting from summer freedom to screen-based classes can be jarring. The biggest hurdles: blurred home-school boundaries, reduced social cues, and screen fatigue.

Universal Easing Tips

• Re-Establish Physical Zones: Designate a specific desk or table for class only. Pack materials away at the final bell to mark “school is over.”

• Simulate the School Day: One week before classes, practice logging in at start-time and taking breaks at scheduled slots.

• Use a Visual Timetable Beside the Monitor: Icons for each subject, color-coded by live vs. asynchronous periods.

• Choice-Driven Screen Breaks: Offer two options every hour: trampoline jumps or coloring sheet.

• Regulation Toolbox: Blue-light glasses, fidget cube, and a timer to signal 5-minute off-screen rests.

Tech Toolkit for Families

• Set reminders on a digital assistant or phone for transition times.

• Use a screen time manager app to schedule mandatory “unplugged” breaks.

• Try browser extensions that simplify or block distracting websites during class periods.

  
  

A successful shift into virtual learning starts with clear routines and consistent boundaries. Leveraging both low-tech (visual schedules, checklists) and high-tech (apps, timers) tools will help your child adjust, stay regulated, and remain focused—no matter their age or needs.