Transitioning into the new school year:
The Parent's Point of View

EssentialMom.com

By Jennifer Brout, Ed.M, Psy.D.

All parents have experienced years in which their child had the "perfect teacher" and others in which he/she was "mis-matched". If you have a special needs child, you already know that keeping a positive attitude is essential as you begin another school year. Try to leave past negative experiences behind. Regardless, there are some steps you may want to take to positively support the relationship both you and your child will have with the new teacher.

Since every child is unique, give your child's new teacher some time to get to know him. Consider making a short list for the teacher regarding your child's needs. At this time, it's best to focus on social, emotional and behavioral issues; adjustment is always the priority at the beginning of the school year. Further along the semester you can address academics. For instance, if your child is sensitive to particular sounds or other sensations, include this on your list, and share strategies that have been successful at home or in the classroom.

After a few weeks have passed, get in touch with the teacher and arrange a meeting (be patient, since you won't be the only parent trying to do this). The main goal of your first meeting should be to collect information. Find out how the teacher views your child. If you disagree with the teacher's comments, say so, but try to be respectful; remember, the teacher is just beginning to know your child.

When the child is away from school, actively engage him or her in dialogue about his school experience. We all know it can be hard to communicate with a child, but a parent can circumvent communication issues by asking "closed-ended" questions. For example, you can ask "On a scale of 1 to 10, how was your day"? You also ask your child to point to smiley, neutral and frowny faces to represent how he feels about his day.

Hope for (and expect) the best, but plan for all contingencies, and remain informed regarding your child's experience while providing as much necessary information to the school as possible.

Visit Dr. Brout at Positive Solutions, www.positivesolutionsny.com