Tip #1 – Organize your paperwork and review the schedule. Review
your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Do you have any new
medical or psychological reports that the school should know about? Talk
with the school to make sure their plans for your child match the
intentions in the IEP. Ensure the school staff are up to speed on where
your child is at now. Make sure you know where your child’s classroom
is, any transportation plans, and what he or she will need to bring each
day.
Tip #2 – Calm any stress or first day jitters your child may have.
Whether it’s a new classroom or familiar surroundings, children may be
nervous about starting back to school. Talk with your child about their
feelings. Assure your child that going back to school will be a good
thing.
Tip #3 – Delay getting new school clothes.
You may think a new outfit will help calm first day jitters, but for
some special needs children, new clothes may aggravate issues. For
children with sensory issues, new clothes may feel itchy, stiff and
uncomfortable. If your child needs it, let him or her wear clothes that
are comfortable and familiar for the first few days of school.
Tip #4 – Help your child “picture” going back to school.
If your child is returning to a familiar school and you have photos
showing him or her at school or with friends or a teacher, show the
photos to your child. If you visit the school before school starts, take
a picture of your child in his or her classroom, and show the photo to
your child later at home. Some children visually process information and
benefit from visual assurances. Create a visual countdown chart at
home, so your child can help move the numbers as you count down to the
start of the school year.
Tip #5 – Begin introducing new routines before school starts.
Morning and afternoon routines can help your child transition into and
out of school each day. You may need to establish an earlier bedtime
routine to make sure your child is up on time and ready to go. Start
thinking about how you want to approach homework. Talk with your child
about when and how homework will be completed.
Tip #6 – Talk to the school staff about any of your concerns.
Open communication helps children with special needs. Speak with school
staff if you have noticed something new about your child that may
impact their education. Open communication with school staff will
benefit your child. Because transitions are hard for many special needs
children, clarify with school staff how transitions are handled. Who
greets children as they get off the bus? How are transitions between
classes or activities handled? Tell your child what to expect.
Tip #7 – Go to school events.
If the school has an open house, parent-teacher night, or back to
school program, attend. Talk with the staff about your child’s progress.
If you are not able to go, make a point of calling the teacher at
another time and getting caught up on the information.
About the Episcopal Center for Children
The
Episcopal Center for Children (Center) is a nonprofit,
nondenominational school and treatment program for children contending
with emotional challenges from the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan
area. Accredited by the Joint Commission, the Center serves children
who are 5-14 years old in grades K-8. The goal of the Center’s
treatment, therapeutic milieu, and individualized special education
program is to empower each child to function productively within his or
her family and community. Building on strengths within children, the
Center partners with families in treatment and focuses on enabling its
students to access and become their best possible selves. More
information is available at eccofdc.org and on Twitter @ECCofDC.
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