This blog post was written by Dr. Frank Del Rio, Psy.D., LPC, CART
Would you rather listen than read? Check out the “All Things IDD” podcast episode where Dr. Frank Del Rio discusses each of these tips! Click HERE to listen!
Preparing for a New School Year
A new school year means a new grade, new teachers, new goals, and maybe even a new school! In order to help you and your child with special needs be as successful as you can be, I have some helpful back-to-school tips that I hope will make the transition into a new school year a little easier for you and your child.
Relieve back-to-school jitters
Just talking about the upcoming year and changes can help reduce some of that back-to-school anxiety! Talk to your child about exciting new classes, activities, and events that they can participate in during the new school year. If attending a new school, try to schedule a visit before the first day. With older students, it is sometimes helpful to explain the services and accommodations in their IEP so that they know what to expect when school begins.
Doing a walk-through of the school before the school year starts will reduce a child's anxiety. Locate her classroom and look over the desk arrangement. Find the bathrooms, auditorium, nurse’s office, and gym. If your child travels from class to class, walk her through her schedule.
Organize all of that paperwork
In the world of special education, there are lots of meetings, paperwork, and documentation to keep track of. Try to keep a family calendar of school events, meetings, conferences, etc. Setting up a binder or folder to keep your child's special education documentation, meeting notices, and IEPs in sequential order can also help you stay organized.
Start a communication log
Keeping track of all phone calls, e-mails, notes home, meetings, and conferences is important. Create a "communication log" for yourself in a notebook that is easily accessible. Be sure to note the dates, times, and nature of the communications you have.
Review your child's current IEP
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the cornerstone of your child's educational program, so it's important that you have a clear understanding of it. Note when the IEP expires and if your child is up for reevaluation this year. Most importantly, be sure that this IEP still "fits" your child's needs! If you're unsure, contact the school about holding an IEP review meeting.
Usually, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are written in the spring. Your child’s new teacher this fall may have no idea which learning goals are priorities for the coming year. Before school starts, read through the IEP to refresh your own memory. Talk over the learning goals with your child, especially those old enough to advocate for themselves. Then make sure each classroom teacher working with your child has a copy and understands the IEP’s intent. An IEP’s strength lies in the parents’ and teachers’ understanding of it and the active participation in implementing it.
Don't assume that anyone from last year has shared anything with this year's group. Instead, be proactive and do it yourself!
Start a School Routine
It's important that a routine will happen once school starts. You can even begin practicing your new schedule, focusing on morning and evening routines, and begin implementing them well in advance of the first day of school.
Attend school events
Take advantage of Open House, Back-to-School Night, and parent-teacher conferences to help you and your child get a feel for the school and meet the teachers, other staff, students, and families. Share the positives about working with your child, and let the teacher know about changes, events, or IEP concerns that should be considered for your child in special education.
Build Relationships
If challenges arise during the school year, it is helpful to know you have others you can turn to. Now is the time to nurture alliances with teachers, support staff, parents, students, and others who impact you and your child. Call or send a thank you note to those who provided “bright spots” during the previous year. Mention how you appreciated their involvement and how you look forward to their future support. Contact others you would like to include among your supporters in the coming year and let them know the important impact they can have in your lives. Be sure to offer your support for their cause in return.
Most importantly, let everyone know that you are available to talk, willing to consider options, and eager to be included in your child's educational experience. Hand out your email address or phone number so you can be easily reached, and ask about the best way to connect with them.
Create a “Positive” Portfolio
All parents should consider creating a “What Works” portfolio. It can be used to create a smooth transition for each new school year. The portfolio should contain positive descriptions of your child. Include a profile describing your child’s strengths, interests, favorite activities, and learning priorities for the year. Include tips about physical assistance or communication with your child if these are needs. Describe behavioral supports that work or ways to structure situations to avoid behavioral challenges. Make a list of tasks, roles, and responsibilities for a teacher’s assistant, if applicable. Also, describe classroom arrangements that help support your child (i.e., seating and positioning needs, noise-level tolerance, climate comfort levels, etc.). Try and include samples of your child’s work and describe any accommodations or modifications that were made to the original assignment to accommodate your child. Share the names of students who are friends with your child and give tips on facilitating connections with other students. Finally, include a photo or brief video showing your child participating with other students and being supported successfully in class.
Request a Meeting
Call your child’s teacher and request a meeting to share insights and information about your child. This is your chance to begin developing a positive relationship with your child’s teacher and to establish yourself as an active team member in your child’s education. This is a great time to review your child’s IEP and portfolio. Most teachers will appreciate your involvement and the knowledge you can share about how your child learns best. Consider this initial meeting as a “marketing” opportunity for your child. End the meeting with plans for ongoing communication with the teacher. Will you make contact daily, weekly, or only “as needed?” Will you communicate using notes, telephone, email, or in person? Establishing this routine reinforces your involvement.
Stay Involved
After laying the groundwork, you can help ensure your child’s success by being involved at school throughout the year. Consider joining the PTA, volunteering in the classroom, helping in the lunchroom or library, or assisting with special events. The more active you are, the more impact you can have on your child’s school, the people who work there, and the education your child is receiving.
Continue Your Own Education
Because you are your child’s most important ally, it is essential that you develop the skills to help your child create a rich and meaningful life. Maybe you would like to learn more about your child’s developmental and educational needs, how to write and implement a good IEP, or how to advocate for your child.
Partners Resource Network (940) 435-1222 offers a variety of resources to assist parents to increase their knowledge and skills. Consider attending a PRN workshop or clinic, or call a PRN Regional Coordinator for free one-on-one advice. They do IEP clinics (learn about the ARD process, review IEPs, determine what you want for your child and how to achieve it, etc.).
Be Sure Agreed-Upon Accommodations Are in Place
You might assume, that everything described in the IEP will be put in place and will be set up for your child when they arrive for their first day of school.
But of course, assumptions can be wrong.
School administrators have hundreds of children to think about, and teachers have many kids to plan for. Only you have the capacity to keep your child's best interests at the top of your list.
Before heading back to school, check in with your child’s team. Double check on critical accommodations, and be sure that any agreed-upon supports are ready to go. If there are issues, it's better to know about them in advance, and there's a good chance that small problems can be addressed before your child steps foot in school.
Establish an Easy, Reliable Communication Checklist
Even after you've given everyone a warm assurance that you're available and easy to work with, there is a good chance you won't hear a peep from anyone at your child's school until report card time (unless there's a serious problem to address). But of course, you want to know how things are going, so you can talk with your child about the day and also so you can address issues before they become a real problem. The easiest way to do this is to provide a quick checklist in a binder that goes back and forth every day. Ask quick yes/no or short-answer questions that the teacher or aide can answer while your child gets ready to go home. For example:
Malik ate his lunch: Yes/No
Johnny earned stickers for good behavior in _________
Sue had trouble with _____________
Collect Information About Extracurricular Options and Events
Your child may have trouble remembering announcements or sharing information about extracurricular activities or special school events. But often these non-academic programs are the best place for your child to explore strengths, meet friends, and start to enjoy the school experience. It may be up to you to get on the right lists, pick up fliers and brochures, check bulletin boards, and make connections on your child's behalf.
If you have concerns about whether or how your child can be included in a particular program, email or call the contact person and ask. There's a good chance that they can accommodate your child's needs.
You may even be able to enroll your child in an appropriate after-school activity that they are open to participating in before the school year begins.
Prep Your Child's New Clothes, Shoes, and Other Items
Many special needs children have a tough time saying goodbye to old items and an equally hard time getting used to new things. Clothes and shoes can create sensory issues, and emotional attachments can be hard to break. As early as possible (at least a few weeks before school starts), begin the process of sorting through older items and buying any necessary clothes and backpacks for the upcoming school year.
Create a "New School Year" Calendar and Schedule for Your Child
Most people are less anxious when they know what to expect; children are no exception. In fact, many special needs children really need schedules to lower anxiety and prepare for transitions. While some schools do provide such schedules to kids, many don't (or do so verbally, which is little help!). Depending on your child's age and ability, you'll need to create a daily schedule to help your child acclimate to the new year and look ahead to events, vacations, etc.
Address Potential Challenges Ahead of Time
If your child is moving from school to school, or from elementary to middle school, they may have a number of new challenges to handle. The more you know about these challenges, the better able you'll be to help them before a problem arises. Here are just a few of the challenges you might want to tackle in summer rather than waiting for the school year to start:
Locks and lockers: Some kids with disabilities have a tough time with typical padlocks. Instead of using the school's typical "turn to the right and left" locks, consider purchasing a lock that uses rolling numbers or buttons. These are usually easier to manipulate. Alternatively, ask the school if your child can use an unlocked cubby rather than a locker (for non-valuable items).
Gym clothes and lockers: Some schools require kids to keep special gym clothes in lockers at school. If this is the case, be sure your child can manage the locks, tie the sneakers, and otherwise manage their gym things. If necessary, consider providing your child with their own lock, velcro sneakers, and pull-on gym shorts.
Computer-based assignments: These days, teachers tend to provide homework assignments, texts, and even grades via computer. They may use school-oriented software or something like Google Drive to communicate with students. Your student may have a hard time knowing exactly how to access a password, get online, and save their work. If your child is old enough for this type of challenge, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the system in order to help them.
Organize School Systems Together
Determine your child's biggest organizational challenges and come up with solutions before classes begin. Visit an office supply store and check out the materials designed for organizing papers, supplies, and time. Choose systems that will be easy enough for your child to manage at school and at home. For example, if you know he loses his homework, buy pocket folders and label them for work to be completed on the left, and finished work on the right. If he can't find books in his locker, buy a locker shelf and encourage him to organize books according to his daily class schedule.
Create a Home Staging Area
Choose an area near the door and equip it with open cubbies/shelving, baskets, and/or hooks. Make this the home for books, homework, backpack, notes, sports bag, keys, lunches, and other school-related articles. Hang a large whiteboard to help her remember tasks and items. An alarm clock or timer will help her get out the door in time.
Find a Tutor or Homework Helper
If you feel that your child might benefit from homework help, find some now. Try out several candidates for personality fit and skill level, and let your child make the final decision.
Review Your Child's Medication
Was your child off medication during the summer? If so, you may want to restart it a week or two before school begins. Ask your doctor and, while you are there, discuss whether medication changes are needed given puberty or increased demands at school.
I hope everyone has a great year of school.
Please contact The Arc if you need any assistance!
Partner’s Resource Network
940-435-1222
www.prntexas.org