I don’t know about you but for some reason the calendar turns to July, I think that some sort of speed gets added to it.
It seems summer’s pace is nice and slow for the month of June …and then, once July hits, it’s kind of downhill full speed.
Then you look up and see that August is right here!
And by right here, I mean we are kind of right there now!
And with August, it officially comes to planning for your child in the new school year.
The fact that some schools start in mid-august means it’s even closer.
I think now’s a good time to do what I call the “Summer Back to School Check-in”
Meaning, now is the time to look at a few things using the filter of “I will need to let the school know these things”
I remember doing this check-in every summer when Elizabeth was younger.
For those who don’t know, Elizabeth is my daughter, who has special needs. She has sensory processing disorder (SPD) and global dyspraxia, both of them affected each and every day and she has had an IEP (Individualized Education Program) since first grade and has been in therapy in one form or another, since she was 2.5 years old.
These check-ins are always helpful to do because while you are working on goals in the summer and kind of maybe making headway in some and maybe not quite so much in others, it is good to really think about it all and write it down.
Those goals, which you set for your child at the beginning of summer, are the very things that need to be looked at now, written down and ready to share with the new educators this year.
This will help everyone understand just where your child is right away- on Day 1
This Check in is my big tip #1
-Write down what you want people to know about your child. What you wish everyone to know if they are just meeting them. Remember, your child is a world of beautiful things and not just their diagnosis.
-Did your child work on their writing?
-Did they read that book?
-Did you have good luck counting money?
-How about speech work?
-Social skills.
-Did they show more organization?
-Did they use good language this summer?
-Maybe they volunteered or have a part time job-share how this went
-Make sure to share about any private therapies or different therapies that your child participated in this summer- ex. Horseback riding
The list goes on and on and is unique to YOUR child!
And please, share examples so that the school can understand the environment it occurred in and what you experienced, ex. If your child typically does not initiate conversation in a group of people, but you saw her ask for her choice at the concession stand.
Well, this is HUGE! and needs to be remembered and shared for so many reasons. And you can see the importance of telling about the entire environment as that makes it even a larger success.
Tip 2
Now that you have really thought about everything. Go back and use that Check in and make a list of all the things your child struggled with.
Things that concern you.
Things you have watched them really try to do.
These things can maybe be used as goals in their IEP.
Tip 3
Give yourself a pep talk as you begin another year of being an advocate for your child
Because it does take a certain mindset to begin to work with the schools and represent your child well.
It takes strength and a certain mindset to make sure your child receives the services they are entitled to and they need.
Remember, you need not be an expert, only an expert for YOUR child. And you are already that!
Tip 4
Time to get that IEP and reread it to make sure you see where everything stood at the end of the year and get ready for the new year. As you are now armed with a complete assessment of your child’s summer successes and struggles.
You are now ready to suggest goal changes and to get that IEP updated and ready to go for the year.
Tip 5
Help your child to start into a focus about school
Take them for a tour of the room and school. (Only you will know if this is helpful for your child, some may not benefit from an early tour as it may make them perseverate so as the expert, please make this choice)
For us, those tours and we did a few, helped Elizabeth quite a lot.
Tip 6
School shopping is another thing to try to accomplish early so you can find what they need, want or what will help them succeed. Such as water bottles with adaptive features or maybe a backpack that is sensory friendly.
You can then help them practice. Opening lunch kits, water bottles, zipping and unzipping backpacks etc.
And don’t forget to shop for any new therapy equipment you might need for the new year. It is always a good idea to restock because now is the time to get as much in order as you can since you will be trying right away to get on a “school schedule” so having everything you need, new and ready is a good idea. Especially true if you have had a unique focus in therapy and that required new equipment.
Tip 7
Get ready to email everyone your Check in Letter.
Email it to everyone who COULD come into contact with your child from library workers to office staff to cafeteria staff to the bus driver.
This ensures everyone will read your letter and know your child.
Make sure to ask for an email back to say that your email was received and read.
Then take a deep breath and see the school year as a fresh start.
It’s tough, it’s scary, but with good organization and a strong advocacy mindset, you will be ready to represent your child’s will and be the expert on your child because you are already that!
And start the year off right.
You are ready! Welcome 2024-2025 school year.