A mom-to-mom guide to back-to-school for neurodivergent kids
Parenting coach, Bea Moise, shares practical back-to-school tips for neurodivergent families as they navigate a new school year and new routines.
At a glance
- A conversation between two moms. Keli Ferguson, a Verizon employee and mom of a neurodivergent fourth grader, talks with cognitive specialist, author and parenting coach Beatrice "Bea" Moise, who is also raising neurodivergent children.
- Bea shares practical ways to use AI, smart home devices and consistent routines to make back-to-school transitions feel more predictable.
- Maturity matters more than age. From smartphones to social media, Bea explains why maturity, anxiety and executive functioning — not birthdays — should guide family tech decisions.
The transition back to school often introduces rigid timeframes, new routines, and potential sensory overload. This combination can be especially overwhelming for neurodivergent kids. To explore how technology, device boundaries, and intentional routines can help neurodivergent kids thrive, Keli Ferguson, mom of a neurodivergent fourth grader, spoke with cognitive specialist, author, parenting coach, and fellow neurodivergent mom Beatrice "Bea" Moise.
How can AI actually help my neurodivergent child get ready for school?
Keli: Transitioning back to school brings a change in routine and sensory overstimulation. How can we use technology to bridge that gap and help neurodivergent kids feel secure without overloading them?
Bea: We can use smart speakers and AI to build "beginning, middle, and end" routines. Ask a smart speaker to help draft a gentle morning or evening transition. Start this process two to three weeks before school begins—or at minimum one week out—to set the tone for smooth mornings and restful evenings.
AI is also fantastic for automated daily reminders. At our home, we have daily reminders set for when it's time for tech to go off or time to eat dinner. It helps parents stay consistent with things they might otherwise forget to say out loud.
Why do screen time transitions cause such big meltdowns?
Keli Ferguson: Ending screen time can be a major source of meltdowns. How can parents build structure around devices without causing a breakdown?
Bea Moise: A structured countdown system works best. Provide a 15-minute, 10-minute, and 5-minute warning. But here is the critical part: the parent must pair up with the device.
At the 10-minute warning, step in, get their attention, and make sure they’re engaged so they process the instruction. At the 5-minute warning, ask the child directly: "How many minutes do you have left?" Having them verbally confirm "5 minutes" forces their brain to register the upcoming switch.
15 minutes: Give the first warning.
10 minutes: Walk over. Make eye contact.
5 minutes: Ask, "How many minutes are left?"
End together: Not from across the room.
Keli Ferguson: Why is it so essential for the parent to step in rather than letting the device alarm do all the work?
Bea Moise: Many neurodivergent children experience executive dysfunction making it harder to plan, switch tasks and finish things on their own. They don't yet have the inherent skill set to manage transitions independently. Because executive function isn't fully developed until age 25 anyway, neurodivergent children need us to model that beginning, middle, and end structure repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
What kind of tech can I use to make back-to-school easier for parents?
Keli Ferguson: What tools can parents use to keep their own sanity through all of these transitions?
Bea Moise: I love the Verizon Family app because it acts as a centralized hub. I don't want to go to 50 different places to figure out screen time; having everything in one hub lets me easily see who's online and manage parental controls.
I also rely heavily on a virtual voice assistant throughout the home. When I know I have a task or meeting coming up, I immediately set a voice reminder. Having those announcements play across the house keeps both me and the kids on track.
How do I know when my neurodivergent child is ready for a smartphone?
Keli Ferguson: When is the right time for neurodivergent kids to transition to a smartphone?
Bea Moise: Readiness is strictly based on maturity, anxiety levels, and cognitive ability — not chronological age.
Neurodivergent kids are often developmentally younger than their physical age. For example, a 13-year-old chronologically might be operating at a 9- to 11-year-old developmental stage.
Start introducing tech with a smartwatch, like the Verizon Gizmo Watch 4. Observe how they treat it. Is it just a practical tool to call family, or are they overly obsessed with every ping and notification? Their interaction with starter devices like a smartwatch will help you decide when they are ready for a smartphone.
Keli Ferguson: What final advice do you have for parents preparing for the upcoming school year?
Bea Moise: Implement an agreement like the Verizon Family Tech Agreement. It opens an ongoing dialogue about tech boundaries. Just remember: parents must abide by the rules, too. If it's not a team effort where kids see you modeling healthy habits, it won't succeed.
Keeping up with the whole family just got easier with Verizon Family Plus.
Learn more about our Verizon Loyalty Program for all.
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AI prompts for neurodivergent kids
- Morning routine — “Build a calm school morning routine for my neurodivergent child with a beginning, middle and end.”
- After-school routine — “Create an after-school routine that helps my neurodivergent child transition from school to home.”
- Bedtime routine — “Build a bedtime routine that prepares my neurodivergent child for tomorrow's school day.”
- Daily reminders — “Write encouraging reminders for meals, homework and when it's time to put tech away.”
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