Back to School Tips for Parents of Children with Special/ Higher Needs.

 Happy new year,

Recently returned to work from a short winter break and i must confess that even after more than two decades of my working career(of which half of that has been working with children with special needs and their families),I still feel jitters going back to work.It is human and i imagine how much more it must be difficult for children (and their parents included)going back to school after a break.

These transitioning challenges to a new school term are mostly present when your child has a higher/special need.After working with these families for a long time and helping them collaborate with school staff to enhance the functioning and participation of their children in the school/classroom set up,find below my top helpful back to school tips.

1.Organize all the paperwork

With a new school term comes new meetings,paperwork and documentation for parents to track.This is mostly double for children/students with higher/special needs.Keeping a family calendar of school events,special education meetings,school conferences will be helpful.Secondly,put in place a folder to keep all school related documentation,meeting notices and IEP in sequential order will help parents stay organized.

2.Starting a communication log.

It is vital to keep track of all phone calls, e-mails and school meetings.Put in place a communication log in an easily accessible notebook and make sure to note the dates,times and nature of communication you have with school staff.

3.Review your child's current (Individualized Therapy Plan(IEP)

IEPs are the road map to your child's educational road map, so it is important for parents to have a clear understanding of it.Check whether it has expired , if it is up for re-evaluation or if it still fits your child's needs.Whenever unsure,please contact the school for a review.

4.Relieve back to school anxiety

Creating time to talk to your child about the upcoming school term can help reduce back to school anxiety.Talk to your child about going back to meeting their school friends/classmates or about exciting new activities/classes they are going to participate in.

5.Keep everyone informed(on the same page)

It is crucial that parents and school communicate early and often.If you have any concerns about the IEP please communicate to the school staff immediately the school term begins.The more proactive and honest you are,the better the school staff will be able to meet your child's needs.

6.Create before and after school routines

Talk to your child regarding the changes for your child and yourself  that will occur when school resumes after the break,focusing on morning/evening routines and begin to implement them few days before the term begins.

7.Be conversant and stay up to date with special education matters/legislation/news

To better advocate for your child,parents should be knowledgeable regarding your child's IEP and special education matters.Try keeping up to date with new special education news/events and talk to other parents with similar needs.

8.Attend school events

Taking advantage of such events helps you and your child better understand the school,meeting teachers and other school staff,other students and families.Take that opportunity to advocate for your child and share your child's strengths to the school staff.

I once again wish you, your children and the school staff involved with them a productive new school term and hope that the above tips can help ease the transition back to school for our students.

Please share which tip(s) helped make the transitioning back to school easier for you and your child.

Day1 Back to School,0600hrs 0601024

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