Back to school is an exciting time, but is also a potentially difficult time of the year for many children with autism and their parents. The new school year might mean a new classroom, new teachers, new staff and new expectations. Change is a difficult thing for many individuals with autism. Adequate preparation for the school year is important, but parents are not always given information early, and changes may occur at what feels like the last possible minute. Schools may be coping with changes as well, and well-meaning administrators just may not have the information parents need. This can add to stress for both parents and children and lead to feelings of frustration at the looming start date in September.
One possible way to minimize this stress is to re-acquaint yourself with your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) team and provide them with an avenue to get to know your child better. This article will provide a brief synopsis of the roles that different IEP team members may have in your child’s educational plan. We will also talk about suggestions for creating an “all about me” one-page document that details your child’s strengths and challenges, to better prepare staff members to support your child.
… Casey struggles with what to do and how to prepare Janie for the coming year. She takes a look at the school website and starts to get an idea…
Meeting the school team:
- Special education teacher: Your child’s special educator is the primary case manager for your child. This person will be in charge of delivering specially-designed instruction in the qualifying areas and coordinating with all team members around accommodations and modifications. He/she will also be the one to organize your annual IEP meetings.
- General education teacher: Your child will likely be assigned a general education teacher based on his/her grade. Depending on your child’s placement, this person will either be heavily or minimally involved in his/her educational plan. This person is in charge of a classroom of students and, as indicated on your child’s IEP, may be responsible for making sure that he/she has access to the general education curriculum.
- Educational assistants, paraprofessionals/paraeducators, instructional assistants, and classroom aides: These individuals can have many names and usually wear many hats. Often times, these educators are the ones who are implementing the plan that the special education teacher has designed for your child. They spend a great deal of time working with your child to implement the strategies to help him/her learn.
- Speech language pathologist (SLP): SLPs are responsible for your child’s language and communication goals, if this is an area in which your child qualifies for services. He/she may see your child in the classroom or may pull your child out for direct therapy services.
- Occupational therapist (OT): OTs are involved in working with your child on tasks related to academic work and/or play and leisure skills. OTs may work on small motor muscles, such as writing or grasping. They may also support a child’s ability to sit appropriately in class with the use of adaptive equipment. Some OTs in schools may also support your child’s sensory needs. Your child’s specific OT services should be clearly outlined on his/her IEP.
- Physical therapist (PT): PTs work with children in schools to ensure that they can appropriately access the school environment. This may involve support for walking, range of movement or the use of other motor equipment to access school environments.
- School psychologist: A school psychologist may be involved in assessments or support your child’s needs related to his or her diagnosis. School psychologists can also serve as support staff for teachers and may provide behavioral consultation, if appropriate. Some psychologists work one-on-one or in small groups to support social skills and emotional development.
- Administrator/principal: Depending on the school district or system, you may be more familiar with your school principal or a district level administrator/coordinator. This person serves as the “administrator” for IEP meetings and is often the one that has the ability to make decisions for the school district during meetings. If you are new to the school system, try talking to other parents to figure out who will be more likely to serve on your child’s IEP team.
- Specialists (music, art, PE): These individuals teach special classes related to their area of expertise and training such as music, art or PE. Their interactions with your child may be more limited since these classes do not occur every day.
All About Me:
One idea for helping your school team get to know your child better is to create a bulleted, one page document that will tell your child’s team about him or her in a quick and easy to read format. The more succinct the information, the more likely school team members can take the time to read this and understand your child better. Some ideas for what this document can include are:
- A cute picture of your child
- Your child’s name and any nicknames that he or she uses
- Include your child’s unique strengths and passions:
- Things your child does really well (drawing, paying attention to details, following the rules, etc.)
- Things your child loves (e.g., talking about WWII, music, animals, sand play)
- Include an explanation of things that are challenging for your child:
- Sudden and unplanned changes in routine
- Loud, unexpected noises
- Filtering important information in visually stimulating environments
- Organization (writing down assignments, turning in homework, etc.)
Although the transition back to school can be a scary and intimidating time for parents of a child with autism, there are things that can be done to alleviate stress around preparation. Understanding your child’s school team, setting up a meeting, visiting the school, and conveying information about your child in a way that is quick and easy to understand may increase the chance for smooth transition and reduce feelings of anxiety about the school year.
SOURCE: Autism Parenting Magazine
