Back to School Tips for Parents of Different Learners

The back-to-school season is almost here, and while it can be exciting, it can also be particularly challenging for children on the autism spectrum. The change in schedule plus the preparation and coordination needed can be stressful for both the child and their parent(s) alike. Fortunately, we have seen what it can look like and have put some tips and resources all in one place via this post. We hope you can take some of this information and use it to help make the transition to the new school year as smooth as possible. And bonus – many of these ideas can benefit typical kids in addition to those with special needs or a learning disability, as well!

Let us first address the importance of preparation for the transition back to school, especially for different learners. Many children with autism live by routine. Therefore, preparation can help ease anxieties and help set up new routines that your child can rely on. Additionally, extra preparation time can help ensure your child has the proper amount of support they need in their new classroom or school. Read on for helpful back-to-school tips that you can start on now.

Use a Back-to-School Countdown

Let’s face it, there is so much going on in the rush before school starts. You want to squeeze in the last free days of summer, while shopping for school supplies, new clothes and scheduling any needed doctor appointments. How can you cram anything else in? This Back to School Countdown from Understood.org offers some great ideas to get your child ready to go back to school. Not all of the tips may apply, but there are sure to be some that will help you, as well as your child, prepare for that first day back in the classroom.

In addition to the practical back to school tips for you, an actual countdown calendar can be helpful for your child. Create a calendar of the few weeks before school. With your child, cross off each day leading up to the first day of school. Doing so provides a visual for them to see when school starts and may help reduce some anxiety they may have.  

Use Social Stories

Social stories are a great way to communicate to your child what they can expect in a new situation, teach appropriate behavior, and much more. And thankfully there are a ton of free resources out there to help you so you don’t have to start from scratch. By creating a print social story, or using a topical video social story, you can help reduce anxiety your child may have about the new school year, new teacher, new classmates, new routine, etc.

Dyan from “And Next Comes L” has an extensive list of free back to school social stories you can download and print. She also includes some topical stories for times that may cause more stress and anxiety, like changing classes for gym, art or music. Additionally, she has a few video social stories about High School, riding the bus, listening to the teacher, how to greet people at school, and more!

Communicate With Their Teacher

Create a “get to know me” document or write a letter to your child’s teacher. By sharing your child’s diagnoses, strengths and weaknesses, dietary restrictions, sensory needs, things that interest them, and strategies that work for them, you are empowering your child’s teacher with important information for their success at school. Additionally, you are taking the first step in building a positive relationship with your child’s teacher. Here are a few templates available for introduction letters and “get to know me” documents.

  • This Card to Help Teachers Get to Know Your Child is from Understood.org. Older kids who are able to write and communicate could complete it on their own, which will help them develop self-advocacy skills.
  • Understood.org also has two different Back-to-School Introduction Letters for elementary and middle school students. They are fairly basic, but may be just what you need to communicate important information with your child’s teacher.
  • For younger students, or those starting at a new school, a more robust document may be warranted. The Fairy Printsess has a printable “About Me” page you can fill out to help the teacher learn about a variety of important information like your contact info, family member details, photos, your dreams for your child, their learning style and so much more!
  • You can always type up a letter detailing the above things for the teacher and email it to them before school starts. Reframing Autism also has a printable packet of “About Me” documents you could edit to create a “get to know me” compilation that fits your child’s unique information and needs.

And don’t forget to make or send copies of whichever version you choose to your child’s aides, the school therapists, principal, “specials” teachers – basically anyone who will be working with your child.

Using Technology

If your child uses an AAC to communicate – an Alternative and Augmentative Communication device – ask if your child’s teacher(s) and aides are familiar with using them. There are several different programs available, so some training may be needed. Work with your child’s speech therapist to help ensure those working with your child know how to utilize this tool to facilitate communication with your child.

In addition to communication, there are apps that can help students with a variety of learning and back-to-school challenges. Here’s a list of different apps to look through from supporting academics, executive functioning skills, managing anxiety and more.

A few more reminders….

If your child has gotten used to sleeping in, be sure to start easing them back into the earlier wake up schedule a few weeks before school starts. Getting them to bed a little earlier each day and waking up a bit earlier each day will help them get the rest they need, and hopefully help reduce the stress that comes with rushing out the door because they slept too late.

If your child seeks sensory input or is upset by loud sounds, prepare a sensory kit for school with their favorite fidgets, chewy necklaces, noise-reducing headphones, etc.

Also, Michigan Alliance for Families offers some great resources and webinars for transitioning back to school, IEPs and more! Check out their latest online events here.

Do you have some other back-to-school tips or routines that have helped you prepare? If so, let us know! We wish you a smooth and successful new school year!

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Academic Instruction: Supporting Struggling Learners

academic-instruction.

Healing Haven’s Academic Instruction Program

Do you have a child who struggles with learning foundational academics like reading or math? Whether they have autism, Down syndrome or other learning challenges, you probably look for ways to supplement their academic learning – especially as we get back into the school grove after summer break.

Several of our BCBA’s were previously a Special Education Teacher. Inspired by our clients, we developed a program to help address this need. In January of 2019 we launched our Academic Instruction program, affectionately call “AI”, and it is growing rapidly.

We use Direct Instruction to teach academic skills in a one-on-one setting using scientifically proven methods and curriculum. Our academic instruction services all children, pre-K to 12th grade, who struggle with learning. 

In our pilot program, 17 students ranging from 7 to 14 years old received academic instruction services. They worked on either reading (decoding and comprehension) or mathematics, or a combination of both. In addition, one participant worked on reading, expressive writing and math.

Promising Results

Eighty-eight percent of the students received one hour of instruction per week in reading and/or math. The remaining 12% received 2 or more hours of instruction per week. We also custom tailored our program to students that are not yet verbal, with 41% of them using a speech generating device to communicate.

In only three months 15% of students increased one grade level in reading and/or math. And based on their first three months of progress, we project 35% will increase by two grade levels in one year. Additionally, it’s worthy to note that 40% of the students projected to make this progress use a speech generating device. In total, all students made gains, with the remaining surpassing their baseline levels.

academic instruction
academic instruction

What does this data show us?

First, we can’t assume that non-verbal communicators can’t learn in the same way that their verbal peers can. Second, when provided with an instruction method specifically designed to support struggling learners, some children who are behind their typically developing peers can make significant progress.

What is Direct Instruction (DI)?

Direct Instruction (DI) is a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons. The lessons provide small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks. It is based on the theory that clear instruction eliminates misinterpretations, and as a result can greatly improve and accelerate learning.

Direct Instruction operates on 5 key philosophical principles:

  • All children can be taught.
  • All children can improve academically and in terms of self-image.
  • Every teacher can succeed if provided with adequate training and materials.
  • Low performers and disadvantaged learners must be taught at a faster rate than typically occurs if they are to catch up to their higher-performing peers.
  • All details of instruction must be controlled to minimize the chance of students’ misinterpreting the information being taught and to maximize the reinforcing effect of instruction.

Why Does DI Work?

The main features of DI ensure children learn faster and more efficiently than any other program or technique available:

  • Instruction is at the student’s individual skill level
  • Instruction can be modified to match the child’s rate of learning
  • The design of the program is to ensure mastery of the content
  • The curriculum is field tested with actual students before publication

Next Steps

Parents interested in this program for their child should fill out the Contact Us Form, or call us at 248-965-3916.

You will initially meet with our Program Director to discuss academic goals, specifics about the curriculum and program. Additionally, you will learn about the important role you have, including overseeing homework. We encourage parent involvement for optimal results. Children are then placed into a level and assigned specific curriculum based on parent information, school reports and academic assessments.

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