The first day of school is often nerve-racking for children and children with disabilities may experience additional concerns associated with heading back to school. According to Kids Health, children with disabilities have the same educational rights as any other child and knowing and understanding what is necessary to ensure a successful school year will help parents transition their disabled child into the classroom on the first day.
Make Plans Ahead Of Time
Knowing what to expect is a critical component of a successful first day of school. Scholastic recommends that parents establish an open line of communication with teachers from the very beginning. Many teachers are open to a parent meeting before the first day of school. Your disabled child may benefit from meeting his teacher before the first day as well as seeing what his classroom will look like. Your disabled students can also be shown how to get to the bathroom, cafeteria, or other places he child will visit daily. This time can also be used to allow parents to relay any special concerns or needs to the teacher, says Scholastic, so everyone can be prepared for the first day of school.
Identify Available Services
Public schools provide many different kinds of services to families with disabled children. There are also many services available to disabled children while they are at school. According to Healthy Children, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that disabled children be educated with their non disabled peers whenever possible. Some disabled children are able to attend school in a regular classroom with support services while other children will require additional services outside the regular classroom. Healthy Children encourages parents to identify the needs of their child and seek out the services and programs that are available to help. Kids Health recommends the use of Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs, to ensure that disabled children receive the services they need to be successful at school. Identifying these programs and educational options before the first day of school can enable a parent to boost the confidence of their disabled child by letting them know that they will not be alone and that someone will always be available to help.
Empower the Disabled Child
Providing your disabled child with the tools necessary to be successful can help prepare him for the first day of school. Choosing school supplies together can be one way to encourage your disabled child to be excited and motivated to head back to school. Kids Health recommends that parents work with their child and with their child's teacher to ensure a successful first day of school. Kids Health also recommends considering seating arrangements by requesting that the disabled child sit in the front of the room, ensuring that the disabled child has a backpack and knows that his supplies are inside, and making sure that your disabled child knows whether he brought his lunch or will buy one in the cafeteria. Ensuring that your disabled child knows what to do and what to expect will empower him to approach his first day of school with confidence and enthusiasm.
