3. Students with special needs
require some special preparation
strategies to get your child’s
school year off to a great start
with a focus on
special
education
4. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
10 Provide Insight
You know your child in ways no
one else does. Share what you
know to be true and make room
for new discoveries by others.
Share what motivates, frustrates,
frightens, and pleases your child
so others can build upon this data.
5. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
9 Summer Stats
Communicate summer activities,
progress, setbacks, new baselines,
and other shifts the school team
may not know. Help them find the
right starting points for your
child faster and more easily. Share
specific examples when you can.
6. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
8 Be Reachable
Be sure the school team knows
exactly how to find you at all
times. Be available, yet give them
room to form their own new
connection with your child. This
is a team of professionals.
Respond promptly to queries.
7. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
7 Extra Meds Handy
If your child requires meds, be
sure the schedule is known to all.
Put it in obvious places, laminated
to the travel bag or chair. Be sure
the school team knows the
consequences of missing a dose.
Offer to bring in a reminder timer.
8. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
6 Own Transit Time
Transit time can be stressful, so
make it as easy as possible on
your child and caregivers and
staff. Plan for unexpected events,
absences of key team members,
and new additions. Anticipate,
anticipate. Then, communicate.
9. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
5 Get the Scoop
If this year will bring a change
relative to inclusion and other
shifts in your child’s education, be
sure you understand what this
will look like. Ask questions. Ask
to talk with others who have
experienced similar changes.
10. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
4 Be “Extra” Prepared
Be sure to send (and have extras)
of special supplies your child
depends on: hearing aids, glasses,
and tech devices. Straws and
stress balls can disappear. Be sure
you understand any new supplies
and new expectations the school
may have for your child this year.
11. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
3 Get Smart
Become familiar with the scope
and depth of the core curriculum
and IEP that the school has
created for your child. Learn what
you can and should be doing at
home to ensure progress.
Learn how and when your child’s
progress will be measured.
12. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
2 Echo, Echo
Ask for tips and strategies that
you can use to work with your
child at home. Your goal is to echo
the day’s routines and patterns
whenever you can to reinforce
them and to reassure your child,
providing continuity.
13. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
1 Celebrate Victories
Notice how excited the school
team is to work with your child.
Progress comes in all sorts of
ways. Celebrate every victory and
strive to learn from bumps in the
road. Ask the staff for help and
insights. They see a side of your
child you do not see. Learn more.
14. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
All Together!
10Provide Insight
9 Summer Stats
8 Be Reachable
7 Extra Meds Handy
6 Own Transit Time
15. Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education
All Together!
5 Get the Scoop
4 Be “Extra” Prepared
3 Get Smart
2 Echo, Echo
1 Celebrate Victories
16. These ten tips are designed for
you to consider and customize
to meet the special needs of
your special kids and your
school in the context of:
special
education
