Webinar - Live - Back to School with Confidence: Supporting Autistic Students Through Transitions
When: August 20, 2026 · Where: On-line / En ligne ON Canada
Signature Series | Live Session Practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support routines, self-advocacy, and wellbeing at home and school. The transition back to school can bring both excitement and uncertainty for autistic students and their families. Whether your child is starting a new classroom, entering a new school, or returning after summer break, preparation can help create a smoother and more positive start to the year. Join us for this live Signature Series interview with Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology and researcher at York University, Dr. Kara Dymond, who also brings her experiences as an author, former educator, and late-identified autistic/ADHD advocate, as we explore practical, neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support autistic students before, during, and after the transition back to school. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher and researcher specializing in neurodiversity-affirming education, Kara will share strategies to help families build confidence, support communication, and create meaningful relationships with teachers. Together, we’ll explore how to prepare for the school year by building routines, becoming familiar with new environments, and helping students identify and communicate their strengths, needs, and learning preferences. We'll also discuss what families can expect during the first weeks of school, including supporting regulation, balancing school demands with downtime, and creating meaningful conversations after the school day. Whether your child is starting kindergarten, transitioning to high school, or returning to a familiar classroom, you'll leave with practical tools to help foster access, agency, and well-being throughout the school year. What you’ll learn: - Ways to prepare for the school year, including establishing routines and becoming familiar with new environments.- How to encourage self-advocacy by helping students communicate their strengths, interests, and support needs.- Tips for building relationships with teachers through communication, shared understanding, and realistic expectations.- Strategies to support regulation and balance during the school week, including managing homework, downtime, and recovery after the school day.- How to create learning environments where autistic students feel understood, valued, and empowered.Who should attend This episode is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and professionals looking for neurodiversity-affirming approaches to support autistic learners at school and at home. Register now to secure your spot and receive the event link: https://bit.ly/3RHCgV5 Have a question for Dr. Kara Dymond? Submit it during registration, and she will address as many audience questions as possible during the live episode. Can’t attend live? No problem! All Signature Series episodes are available on demand after the event. Register today to receive your access link. See our collection of Signature Series episodes here. For more information about this event, please contact webinars@autismontario.com. Disclaimer: Opinions reflected in this webinar are those of the speaker(s) and presenter(s), and do not necessarily reflect Autism Ontario’s views. Please note that Autism Ontario does not endorse any specific therapy, product, treatment, strategy, opinion, service, or individual. We do, however, endorse your right to information. Autism Ontario strongly believes that it is important to do your own research and make your own informed decisions.