Back to School on the Spectrum

All parents can attest that back to school is a hectic time of year. The dreaded supply lists, school clothes shopping, mandatory orientations, back to school night, and getting back into the routine of homework and lunch packing. Parents of kids with learning differences face unique added challenges.

School Shopping

We all face the ridiculously long school supply list. Every year it seems to grow and of course every class has a different list, making it even more challenging when you are scouring Target for 50 glue sticks and 30 ounces of hand sanitizer. My daughter is on the autism spectrum, adding the complexity of finding items that she “likes” and will use. Since she is rigid in her preferences I have to troll the aisles for specific smelly markers and glue sticks that are purple and turn clear when they dry.

When I move from the supplies area to the school uniforms, I have to ensure the uniforms that feel soft and don’t have annoying tags.  She loves her dresses, so I found to reduce morning meltdowns every skirt must be exactly the same and made from a soft cotton. Many kiddos on the spectrum have sensory issues that make it especially hard to find the “right” clothes that they are willing to wear and won’t distract them from learning.  Something as small as a tag can make or break her day.

Before School Starts

Like many moms, I have to attend the mandatory orientation.  I also take a few additional steps to make sure the school year gets off to a good start.  Like many kids on the spectrum, little miss is all about knowing what is coming next and being familiar with her environment.  To set her up for success, I set up a meet and greet with her team.

Yes, TEAM, she has general education teachers, special education teachers, therapists, and a dedicated. During the meet and greet, she meets everyone on the team, reviews her daily visual schedule, and has a chance to tour her classroom.  A visual schedule is simply her schedule represented in pictures. The team creates the visual schedule in advance and provides us a copy to we can show little miss several times before school starts.  I set this up a week or two before school starts to get her comfortable with her new surroundings.

Around the same time, I set up another meeting with the team to go over little miss’ Individual Education Plan (IEP), and set up expectations of the school year.  I provide them with “insider” information on Savannah’s preferences, strengths, and areas of caution.  Specifically, little miss tends to wonder, and has a strict diet. During this meeting we chat about how we are going to mitigate her wondering and keep her safe at school.

I also set up communication expectations.  How and what are we going to communicate. Fortunately, our teachers are very receptive to clear and open communication, and have willingly provided their personal cell phone numbers.  We often communicate by text, email, by phone, and in person. Communication is the key to Savannah’s success.

First Few Weeks of School

When school starts, I hold my breath that all of the preparation has paid off.  Like everyone, getting back into the routine making lunches, waking up early, wearing a school uniforms, and doing homework is hard.  If things don’t go just right in our house, we face major meltdowns that result in refusals to get dressed, screaming and crying.

Somedays we just try to survive and get the kids to school.  This might mean, I have to physically force little miss to get dressed and carry her kicking and screaming to the car.  This is the time that communication with the team is critical.  I usually will text the teachers on our way to school to prepare them for the aftermath.  Luckily, they report when she gets to school she is fine and hops right into the schedule of the day.  During the first few weeks of school, I ensure I have my phone on me at all times, and am ready to leave work to deal with any unexpected issues.

As mamas of school aged children, we all look forward to getting back into the groove of school. Good luck families, it will be October before you know it.