Back-to-school time can be overwhelming for parents and students alike. For parents and students with special needs, starting a new school year can be extra complicated. Using the five tips below can make this change easier for everyone.
1. Organize
A great first step in getting ready for back-to-school is to organize your paperwork. There are so many documents to keep up with in special education but having a folder or binder to keep all special education paperwork, meeting notices, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents in one place and in order by date can help you to be more organized.
Also, use your binder to keep track of all communications – calls, e-mails, notes and flyers, meetings, and conferences. Be sure to include the dates, times, and subject of these conversations.
In addition, this binder is a great place to keep key special education contacts. On the first page of your binder include a list of names, phone numbers, and emails addresses for all your student’s teachers, therapists, IEP team members, and any other special education contacts.
2. Review
Your student’s IEP is one the most important tools on their special education journey, so it’s vital that you know it backward and forward. Before school starts back, review the IEP, and make a list of any questions you may have. When does the IEP expire? When does your student need to be re-evaluated? Does this IEP still meet your student’s needs?
3. Prep
Ask your student how he/she feels about going back to school. Is he/she excited or worried (or both) about new classes, activities, schedules, friends? If your child is nervous, it may be helpful to ask if you and your student can visit the school before the first day.
Talk to your student’s school early and often! Before the first day, share your questions and concerns with the teachers and staff who will be working with your child. But don’t forget you can reach out to them anytime during the year! Staying ahead of the game will help the school staff best meet your child’s needs.
Talk to your student about any changes to your family’s daily routine that will happen when school starts back. It is often helpful to start using your new schedule, especially morning and evening, a week or so before the first day of school.
4. Plan
Decide ahead of time how your student will get to and from school, and make sure your child and the school know the plan. Review the details (who, what, where, why, when, how, how long, etc.) with your student so he/she knows what to expect, and if helpful take a practice run before the first day.
Plan to attend all the back-to-school events that you can – meet-the-teacher nights, open houses, and parent-teacher conferences. If you cannot attend in person, stay in touch with your student’s teacher regularly through email. Share your child’s strengths and challenges along with any questions or concerns you may have.
5. Empower
Being aware of the latest special education news and laws can help empower you as you navigate the special education journey and advocate for your child! The Family Engagement in Special Education team can help you stay up to date. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out of webpage for the latest information and events in your area.
Encourage your student to be active in getting ready for school to start back. Allow him/her to ask questions and have choices in the decisions being made. Change can be scary, but when we have some say in the changes happening to us, the situation can feel less frightening. For information on supported decision making, please visit https://www.tndecisionmaking.org/.
Following these tips can help ease your student into the new school year. The Family Engagement in Special Education team with The Arc Tennessee is also here to help you along the way. To request additional assistance with your child’s special education journey, please complete our Special Education Assistance Form.