by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com

Getting ready for the new school year starts earlier when you have a child with special needs.  There are so many things to plan ahead for, and people to coordinate with.  You'll need to start preparing your child, too.  It can all feel overwhelming -- and if you're like many parents of children with special needs, it's tempting to put off back-to-school preparations until the first day is just days away.  The resulting last-minute flurry of phone calls, errands, and meetings can be exhausting! 

This year, let's make the back-to-school process easier.  Our Action Steps this week and next will focus on simple things you can do now to make this the best transition to the new school year ever, for your child, your family, and you, too. 

Today, it's time to start getting the wheels in motion with the school itself -- any logistics required to make sure everyone and everything is ready for your child in a few weeks.

Action Steps!

1. Brainstorm a list of everything that needs to happen with school between now and September.  Get  help from your spouse, significant other, a friend who has a child in the same school/program.  Depending on your child's age and abilities, include your him or her as much as possible in this brainstorming step, too. 

2. Highlight anything on your list involving a phone call. 

3. Start making those phone calls now.  Top priority should be given to any call involving scheduling an appointment or a meeting.  Calendars fill up fast this time of year! 

4. As you set dates and times for appointments and meetings, make arrangements for any childcare you'll need. 

5. Look over your list from step 1 and circle anything else you need to get started on now.

You can get even more help with preparing for the new school year on August 19, in my next Free Lunchtime Teleseminar, when I share my Back To School Checklist for Parents of Children with Special Needs.  Click here to register: http://www.SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com/FreeTeleseminar/  We'll have plenty of time for discussion and your questions.  I look forward to having you on the call! 

Next week, our Action Steps for the Week will focus on beginning to prepare your child for the new school year. In the meantime, please feel free to share your own back-to-school tips by posting a comment below!