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

Part 2: Prepare Your Child and Your Family

In Part 1 of this series, we talked about interacting with the school itself: any phone calls, meetings, and logistics that need to be taken care of before school starts.  You can read all of Part 1 here:

Getting Ready for School Part 1

Today, in Part 2, let's focus our Action Steps on preparing your child for the new school year - and preparing your family for the transition to a new daily routine.  My top recommendations:

1. Bring your child to the school.  If your child is new to the building, introduce him or her to anyone available, such as the school nurse, administrators, office staff, custodians.  If possible, make arrangements in advance for your child's teacher(s) to be there when you visit.

2. Tour the building with your child, even if they've been going to this school for years.  It helps get them into the school-year mindset, and also helps remind them where things are - like the doors, bathrooms, cafeteria, gym, nurse's office, and if possible, their new classroom(s).  If your child is older, it's a good idea to get their locker number and let them practice opening it a few times.

3. Depending on your child's age and abilities, allow him or her to practice self-advocacy skills.  Encourage your son or daughter to ask questions, tell teachers and staff about their classroom needs, and discuss any problems that need to be taken care of before the first day of school, such as a stuck locker, a blocked wheelchair ramp, or a malfunctioning sound system.

4. Get the whole family back on a school-year schedule gradually.  Start moving up dinnertime, bedtime, and wake-up time -- so the first day of school won't be such a shock!  You might also want to have your children help you make a morning checklist (use pictures if your child isn't reading yet) to help them remember everything they need to do on a school morning after they wake up.  I also highly recommend having a "Don't Forget" list posted by the door, with key items like backpack, books, lunch, and of course, a smile!

Stay tuned for more tips this week, on back-to-school shopping when you have a child with special needs, and getting organized for the new school year!