Going back to school after a summer of fun brings an exciting change for kids. However, for some back to school can be a source of anxiety. Returning to the routine of school is an adjustment for every family, families with children with disabilities included, and sometimes these children and their parents face unique added challenges.
These challenges can include struggles with disobedience and rule-breaking, difficulty paying attention, heightened anxiety in the classroom setting (or at separation from parents), learning delays, difficulty starting or maintaining friendships, and even bullying.
Does this list sound overwhelming? Does it sound familiar? If so, take heart. If you are a parent to a child with disabilities, no matter the challenge, you can trust Easterseals Arkansas to be your reliable resource and guide for the return back to school.
Working with Disabilities: Planning for Your Child’s Back-to-School Success
As you and your child prepare for their return to school, one of your best tactics for a smoother transition is to work with (and not against) their unique needs. Frustration is normal, and it can be easy to lose focus and feel overwhelmed when difficulties arise. Planning in itself is a great first step, as it positions you and your child to anticipate obstacles they might face. You can ease worry as you work together to come up with potential solutions. In addition, things like communicating with school staff and orienting your home setting are great ways to support your child’s success even further.
Early Communication and Collaboration
Making early contact with school staff is essential. It allows you to become familiar with the ins and outs of the class structure and school as a whole, and it establishes a vital relationship between your child’s teachers and you as their advocate. It also gives you opportunity to express your child’s specific needs, helping school staff better prepare for potential difficulties and connect you with valuable resources—one of which is IEP.
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legal document which you, your child’s teachers, and other school staff work together to create. It establishes a tailored, regularly reviewed (and adjusted) plan to help your child meet their education goals. Your child’s IEP meetings will likely be your best opportunities to advocate for them and ensure their needs are being met.
Understanding Individual Needs
Simple though it sounds, the key to communicating your child’s needs is understanding them. You are more attuned to their strengths and challenges than anyone, but they may not always be easy to articulate.
One good way to capture this information is to create a comprehensive student profile for (or with!) your child. Most student profiles include their likes, dislikes, strengths, challenges, needed supports/accommodations, and any other information that can help school staff better understand what will help your child be successful.
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Home is where your child is most comfortable, and it’s the best place for you to help them develop organization and management skills. Establishing a consistent routine is a great place to start. Returning to school will mean changes to sleep habits, recreation time, meals, and more. Knowing this, it’s best to get a head start and shift your kiddo into “school mode” before their first week back. Here are some practical tips for how to do this:
- Ease into earlier bedtime. Set it back by just 15-30 minutes each night at most/as tolerable for your child.
- Limit screen-time. Make the cut-off at least one hour before bed to help them wind down and prepare for sleep.
- Make a meal plan. Find out what and when your child will be eating during school and begin arranging home meals accordingly. Tip: Hunger can cause irritability and poor focus all on its own. Keeping your child well-fed may be a simple way to ease back-to-school transitions for children with disabilities.
- Talk it out. Let your child know it is okay to have and express their complicated feelings about the changes they are experiencing—whether they be new schedules, new friends, or even a new school.
- Be flexible but consistent. You don’t have to enforce a strict, unwavering schedule unless that best fits your child’s needs. However, it will be harder to establish a new routine that is too flexible. Always remember that balance is key.
Navigating the School Environment
Building Relationships
Maintaining open communication with teachers is vital for transitioning children with disabilities back to school. Teachers have busy schedules, so it may fall to you to be proactive and prep to facilitate more focused, collaborative conversations about your child’s progress and any emerging challenges.
Remember, though, that building your support network within the school community doesn’t have to stop with staff. You can also connect with fellow parents, and especially those with children who have special needs. They can empathize and offer support as you navigate the challenges of sending your child back to school.
Accessing Support Services
As a parent, you are the best person to advocate for your child’s necessary accommodations in school. Alert teachers to your concerns, and ask questions about the services available. If they are limited or if your child’s needs are beyond what the school has to offer, they may refer you to a more comprehensive support program.
Addressing Common Challenges
Each child is unique, but there are some common challenges children with disabilities experience as they make their way through school. These often include learning delays, difficulty with social interactions, and bullying. If you suspect your child is struggling in any of these areas, here are some tips for supporting them:
- Tutoring: If your child struggles to keep up in a specific subject, they may need a tutor who is learned in that particular area of study to coach them in its fundamentals at their pace.
- Homework Assistance: For delays caused by difficulty completing schoolwork in general, a homework helper (possibly yourself) can give the organizational and focus support needed for completing and retaining lessons.
- Educational Therapy: Some key signs may indicate a learning disorder, such as dyslexia, non-verbal learning disorder, auditory processing disorder, and others. If a disorder is identified, it is best to seek the help of an educational therapist, who is professionally trained to support these children on both a cognitive and an emotional level.
- Modeled Social Skills: Social interactions can be difficult for any child, but may prove especially so for those with disabilities. Try modeling socially acceptable behaviors for your child, such as taking turns or exploring others’ points of view, and then explaining your behavior.
- Anti-Bullying Strategies: Bullying is a pervasive problem that can have lifelong negative effects, especially in the current age of technology and social media. It is imperative that parents protect and empower their children against both being bullied and bullying others, educating them about the harm it can cause and how to recognize it in their own and others’ behavior.
Empowering Your Child
No matter your child’s challenges or disabilities, they are more likely to succeed when they are empowered. Building confidence and self-advocacy skills will help them develop a solid foundation of self-esteem as they grow into adulthood. Work alongside them and incorporate their ideas as you set realistic, achievable goals for what they consider success. Then, take every opportunity to celebrate their achievements with them.
Resources and Support, Back-to-School and Beyond
Planning and preparation are paramount for your child’s return to school. Easterseals Arkansas is here to help. We offer Pediatric Outpatient Therapy, as well as topical guidance and uplifting stories via our online Blog.
Additional Resources
National Center for Learning Disabilities
Understood.org
Child Mind Institute
Council for Exceptional Children
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Being a parent or caregiver to a child with disabilities is both uniquely rewarding and uniquely challenging. Easterseals Arkansas understands. Call 501-227-3600 today for additional support.
Back-to-School for Your Child with Disabilities
Ready to partner with Easterseals Arkansas for a successful back-to-school journey? Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive support services and resources. Let's work together to empower your child's education.
