For a lot of families, September means new backpacks, new schedules and a return to a familiar fall routine. For individuals with disabilities and their families, this time of year can also come with a lot of anxiety.

Change is hard for a lot of kids, but it can be especially hard for children with disabilities who rely on predictable routines to feel safe and confident. A new teacher, a new classroom, a new bus route or a new set of expectations can bring up real anxiety. For a child who has spent the summer with looser days and familiar surroundings, the sudden return to bells, schedules and unfamiliar faces can feel like a lot all at once. It’s easy for many of us to underestimate how much emotional work goes into that adjustment.

It’s why adjustment periods deserve patience. A child who seems more withdrawn, more prone to meltdowns, or more resistant to routine in the first weeks of school shouldn’t automatically be labeled as regressing. They may just be adapting. The families and educators who recognize that, and take it into consideration, tend to see kids do better and have more positive experiences.

And that’s really an important piece of this time of year to remember.  Alongside the adjustment, there’s so much for kids to look forward to. New routines bring new chances to build skills, make new friends and discover things about themselves. What’s better than seeing a child walk into a new classroom nervous and unsure, and within a few weeks, light up talking about a friend they made or a subject they’re suddenly excited about? That shift, from apprehension to genuine enthusiasm, is one of the most rewarding things to witness each fall.

The best thing we can do is make space for both the apprehension and the excitement. A little extra patience in the first few weeks can lay the foundation for real growth in the months that follow.

So if the child in your life seems a little more anxious this time of year, that’s okay. Back-to-school season asks a lot of kids. But it we understand that, it can also give all of us so much to look forward to.