Getting Back to Exams After Half Term

The half term break often comes as a much-needed breather for many families, especially those supporting an autistic child navigating the exam season. It's a time to reset, enjoy the predictability of home, and decompress from the demands of school life. But once the calm fades, the return to exam conditions can feel like a sudden and jarring shift. And if you're feeling that, chances are your child is too.

Why Is It So Hard?

Home tends to offer what exams do not: predictability, comfort, and a sense of control. In contrast, exam settings bring pressure, unfamiliar structures, bright lights, and unpredictable social cues. That transition, from comfort back to chaos, can feel like a giant leap. For autistic students, it's not just about going back to school. It’s a sensory, emotional, and cognitive readjustment. One that deserves compassion, planning, and a whole lot of patience.

Making the Transition Easier

Here are some practical, autism-friendly tips to ease your child back into the exam routine:

Use Visual Supports

A visual schedule can make the invisible feel manageable. Try creating a simple, colourful chart that shows:

• What exams are coming up

• What subjects they cover

• When and where they’ll take place

This visual anchor can help reduce anxiety by making time and tasks feel more predictable.

Remind Them of Their Supports

If your child has reasonable adjustments like:

• Extra time

• A quiet exam room

• Breaks during the exam

… now is the perfect time to talk about them again. Reassuring your child that these supports are still in place can provide a strong sense of safety and structure.

Focus on Effort, Not Just Outcomes

A wise teacher once said to Charlotte,“Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.” At the time, it might have felt like just a nice quote. However, in parenting and for those with neurodivergent lives, those words carry real weight. Every step your child takes toward facing their challenges is a victory in itself.

So, let them know you're proud, not because of what they achieve on paper, but because they’re showing up, trying, and persevering.

Autism & Exams 2nd Edition

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