Every new school year brings new opportunities to improve communication between educators and your special needs child.  To ease that transition and help you and your child be as successful as possible in the new school year, see these eight back-to-school tips recommended by LD Online:

1. Review your child’s IEP.  The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the cornerstone of your child’s educational program, so it’s important that you have a clear understanding of it. Take note of when the IEP expires and whether or not your child is up for reevaluation this year. Most importantly, be sure that this IEP still “fits” your child’s needs! If you’re unsure, contact the school about holding an IEP review meeting.
2. Organize your paperwork.  Easier said than done, right?  In the world of special education, there are lots of meetings, paperwork, and documentation to keep track of! Try to keep a family calendar of school events, special education meetings, conferences, etc. Set up a binder or a folder for your child’s special education documentation, meeting notices, and IEPs to help you stay organized.
3. Keep a communication log.  Despite everyone’s best intentions, miscommunications happen. Keeping track of all phone calls, e-mails, notes home, meetings, and conferences is important. Create a “communication log” for yourself in an easily accessible notebook, and make a habit of noting the dates, times, and nature of every communication you have.  Learn more about the importance of a paper trail when advocating for your child.
4. Take the lead on keeping everyone informed.  It’s important that you and the school communicate early and often! If you have any concerns, changes, or questions about the IEP that you feel is important to share with the staff working with your child before school starts – or during the year – don’t hesitate to contact them. The more proactive and honest you are, the better the school staff will be able to meet your child’s needs.  See these tips on building a good relationship with your child’s teachers.
5. Establish new routines.  New routines can be especially difficult with special needs children.  Discuss and plan the changes in your child’s daily routine that will happen once school starts.  If the change is bringing everyone extra anxiety, why wait until the first day of school to to change your schedule?  You can begin practicing your new schedule, focusing on morning and evening routines, and begin implementing them well in advance of the first day of school.
6. Relieve back-to-school anxiety.  Just talking about the upcoming year and changes can help reduce some of your child’s back-to-school jitters. Have conversations about exciting new classes, activities, and events that they can participate in during the new school year. If your child is attending a new school, try to schedule a visit before the first day.
7. Stay current on special education news.  Being knowledgeable about your child’s IEP and their disability can help you become a better advocate for your child. Try to keep up-to-date on new special education legislation, news, and events. The more you know, the more prepared you will be to navigate the world of special education and successfully advocate for your child.
8. Take advantage of school events.  Make it a priority to attend Open House, Back-to-School Night, and parent-teacher conferences.  These will help you and your child get a feel for the school and meet the teachers, staff, students, and families. Share the positives with teachers and staff about working with your child, and let the teacher know about changes, events, or IEP concerns that should be considered for children in special education.

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