After-School Decompression Plan

🏡 Help your child recover from the school day, gently and at their own pace. 🏡 Many children hold it together all day at school, then fall apart the moment they get home. Tears, anger, silence or exhaustion after school aren't a deliberate choice. They're often signs of overwhelm. This printable pack helps you notice what your child needs, lower demands, and build a calmer after-school routine that works for your family. Created by The SEN Advocate. 📄 WHAT'S INCLUDED – 10 PAGES 📄 1. After-School Decompression Plan – the 5 gentle steps: notice, reset, refuel, recover, reconnect 2. How Was School Today? – spot the signs of overwhelm before asking questions 3. Helpful Adult Scripts – simple things to say in the moment, and what to avoid 4. Home-School Handover – notes to share between school and home 5. Choice Menu – 12 calm choices to offer, two or three at a time 6. My Child's After-School Plan – build a routine that matches their needs 7. Daily Check-In – a quick tracker to notice patterns 8. The First Hour at Home – a flexible flow, not another list of demands 9. Reflect & Adapt – keep what works and gently change what doesn't 10. Make Room for Recovery – 8 sensory supports that can help after school 🏡 PERFECT FOR • Parents and carers of autistic, ADHD and sensitive children • Children who experience after-school "restraint collapse" • Building a calmer, more predictable routine at home • Sharing information between home and school • SENCOs and family support workers to share with parents • Grandparents, childminders and after-school carers 🖨️ FILE DETAILS • 1 PDF, 10 pages • A4 portrait • Print at home or at a print shop • Print extra copies of the Daily Check-In and Home-School Handover pages to use each day • Laminate the Choice Menu and cut out the cards to use with Velcro 📥 INSTANT DIGITAL DOWNLOAD This is a digital product. No physical item will be sent. Your file will be available to download as soon as payment is confirmed. 📌 PLEASE NOTE For personal and family use. Schools and professionals may share it with the families they support. Please do not resell, share or redistribute the files. Every child is different. Not every strategy works every day. Offer support, not pressure. 💛 Colours may vary slightly depending on your screen and printer. Any questions? Just send me a message, I'm always happy to help! The SEN Advocate