My back to school routine is pretty much the same as other parents: look for the best deals for school clothes, look for the best deals for school supplies, and get teacher/class assignments. But I also go through a few other steps to get the school year off to a good start for my special needs sons.
1. Frontloading
My oldest son does best when there are no curveballs thrown at him-like many special needs children. I like to get him informed and ready for any changes coming his way. This summer has been full of frontloading, as he is starting middle school and there are several differences for him to adjust to.
Don’t worry if you don’t have all the information (schools tend to send new info out in trickles) or if you forget something. Even just letting your child know that they will probably have a different teacher and different classmates goes a long way for most kids.
2. Remember your student’s rights
Summer vacation does not mean that the school districts have a break from accommodating your child’s needs. Anything related to their education must still abide by the goals and accommodations set in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.
For instance, my son had an orientation for middle school and we were not able to stand in the long line for locker assignments. Instead, we dropped his locker permission slip in the office and were told he would not get his assignment or combination lock until the first day of school.
Well, I knew he would be overwhelmed on the first day and this would just add to the pressure. Knowing that his 504 Plan required frontloading and that “locker freeze” (not remembering your combination) could affect his studies, I contacted the school. I reminded them of his 504 plan and magically his locker assignment and combination were given to me over the phone.
3. Review documents
Part of knowing your child’s rights is reviewing your paperwork. Taking a look at IEPs, 504 Plans, reports, updates, assessments, report cards, and other documents will refresh your memory of what your child will need this school year. This is especially helpful if your IEP or 504 Plan is up for review soon.
4. Set up a meeting
Communication with teachers and administration is key to the success of any child, particularly a special needs child. Before school even starts, you can request a meeting with the principal (or teacher, if one has been assigned yet). When my son started a new school in the first grade, I scheduled a quick meeting with the principal about a week before school started. She got acquainted with him and his needs and I was able to feel like I had a person I could go to for help.
After school starts, it is always a good idea to set up a short meeting with the teacher and go over any needs, restrictions, or limitations your child may have. You can also give the teacher some ideas on what has worked in the past, but keep in mind that the teacher may have a different approach that is just as effective-if you are willing to jump on board.
I always think the new school year is just as hard (if not more hard) on the parent as it is on the child. Once you have had that superstar teacher, it is hard to think any other teacher can measure up. On the flip side, if you had that occasional teacher from Hades, it can be hard to trust any teacher with your child. In reality, most teachers do have your child’s best interest in mind; they just might approach things differently — which is not always a bad thing.
5. Take a deep breath
The school year is sure to be eventful, but give yourself a little breathing room during the summer. You will still have plenty of time to advocate for your child in the fall. Take a few days before school starts to just…relax. As foreign as that may seem, it will help you recharge your batteries for the battles and triumphs that lie ahead.