Back to School Tips

Here are a few tips on how parents can actively take steps to support their children with disabilities:

1. Establish Clear Communication Channels

• Proactive Outreach: At the beginning of the school year, introduce yourself to your child’s teachers and special education staff. Schedule a meeting or send an email outlining your child’s needs, strengths, and any key information they should know.
• Regular Check-Ins: Set up a regular communication schedule, such as a communication document or notebook, weekly emails or bi-weekly meetings, to stay updated on your child’s progress and address any issues that arise. Connect with your child’s teaching staff to determine the best method for everyone.

2. Develop a Customized Learning Plan

• Review the IEP/504 Plan: Before school starts, review your child’s IEP or 504 Plan. If updates are needed, request a meeting with the IEP team to discuss changes that reflect your child’s current needs. It is a good idea to request these meetings via email so that they are time and date-stamped should you ever need to develop a comprehensive communication list.
• If Goals need updating: Collaborate with educators to have them track current goals, ensuring that the student continues to demonstrate mastery or a loss of skills at the start of the school year (approx 2-4 weeks). Then meet with the team to set realistic and measurable goals for your child, ensuring that the plan is tailored to their unique abilities and challenges.

3. Foster Positive Relationships

• Encourage Socialization: Facilitate playdates or social gatherings with classmates to help your child build friendships outside of school.
• Involve the Teacher: Discuss with the teacher ways to promote positive peer interactions in the classroom, such as group projects or seating arrangements that encourage collaboration.

4. Create a Structured Routine

• Consistent Schedule: Establish a morning and evening routine at home that mirrors the school day. Practice getting ready for school, reviewing the day’s schedule, and winding down after school to create predictability.
• Visual Aids: Use visual schedules, calendars, or timers to help your child understand the structure of their day and what to expect next. Pictures of your child doing the tasks are especially powerful in showing them that they can do it or what comes next in a sequence.
• Set up a work station at home: Have a designated space for your child to complete homework and school activities. Add lighting, pencils, markers, glue, or additional materials your child might need to complete tasks sent home. Using a desk and chair set-up like at school helps reinforce expectations and create familiar routines.

5. Utilize Assistive Technology and Adaptive Materials

• Consult with Experts: Work with the school’s special education team or an occupational therapist to identify the most effective assistive technology or adapted matierlas for your child if it is needed.
• Home Integration: Ensure that the technology or tools used at school are also available at home and for use in the community, so your child can practice and feel comfortable using them in all settings.

6. Encourage Self-Advocacy

• Role-Playing: Practice scenarios with your child where they might need to express their needs, such as asking for a break or requesting help. Role-playing can build confidence in these situations.
• Set Small Goals: Start with small, manageable goals for self-advocacy, like raising their hand to ask a question, and gradually build up to more complex situations. Also, use the language skills that they have, and have them share their thoughts in a few words if that is their current level or in more complete sentences or with pictures or a speech device if that is their current level.

7. Collaborate with Special Education Staff

• Team Meetings: Attend all meetings with the special education team and ask for regular updates on how your child is doing. Being involved will help ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals.
• Share Insights: Provide feedback on what strategies are working at home, so teachers can integrate similar approaches in the classroom.

8. Prepare for Sensory Needs

• Sensory Assessment: Work with an occupational therapist to assess your child’s sensory needs. Based on this assessment, develop a plan that includes sensory breaks, tools, or modifications.
• Coordinate with the School: Communicate your child’s sensory needs to the school and ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place, such as a quiet room, a chart to help regulate emotions, access to a sensory room, or to sensory tools.

9. Incorporate Social Skills Training

• Practice at Home: Incorporate social skills training into everyday activities. Role-play conversations, practice taking turns, and reinforce good manners whenever possible.
• Join Programs: Look for social skills groups or programs, such as those offered at GiGi’s Playhouse, where your child can practice these skills in a supportive environment.

10. Celebrate Successes

• Positive Reinforcement: Regularly acknowledge your child’s efforts and successes, both big and small. This could be through verbal praise, reward charts, 1-to-1 time, or special activities.
• Share with Teachers: Let teachers know what motivates your child, so they can also use similar positive reinforcement strategies in the classroom.

By taking these steps, parents can help ensure their child is well-supported in both the general education and special education settings, making for a smoother and more successful school year.