Being Your Child’s Voice: Working with Your Child’s School
School is a large part of your child’s day, so having a positive, secure environment for learning is essential. Many children don’t require special accommodations now, but it’s a good idea to talk to the school staff to be prepared for what they might need in the future.
Some general tips:
- Talk to the principal, teachers and any staff who will be working with your child. Discuss what your child might need and how you can all help meet these needs. Identify someone at the school who will act as your primary contact.
- Take someone with you to any meetings you have with school officials. This helps you not only by providing support but also an extra “memory.”
- Document everything. There may be time limits in which the school must respond to your requests, so remember to sign in at the office every time you visit, and keep records of all meetings.
- Stay in contact with the school to make sure the accommodations agreed upon continue to meet your child’s needs.
- Encourage communication between your family and the school. Ask the school to report any changes in your child’s behavior and to let you know when anyone in the school is sick. Tell them about any changes in your child’s treatments.
- Include your child in the planning as much as you can. Help him or her learn how to talk to teachers and classmates about JM.
What School Accommodations are Available
There are numerous accommodations you can request, depending on your child’s individual situation. Your child can:
- Leave class early to get to another class-not only for added time but also to avoid the possibility of being unnecessarily bumped in the hallways.
- Receive extra time to take tests or complete classwork.
- Have a friend help carry books, lunch trays, etc.
- Rest when needed during the day and take time to visit the school nurse, if necessary.
- Sit in a chair during story times to avoid having to stand from the floor.
- Do other activities or physical therapy instead of physical education classes. Some children are allowed to have a friend stay inside with them during outdoor recess.
- Keep a second set of books at home.
- Have a friend take notes, copy others’ notes, record classes, or use a laptop. When your child must miss a lot of school, making up the work could become stressful. Try to work out a plan to prioritize the work and make up only the work the teacher deems most important.
- Choose a locker that is easily accessible to avoid bending down or reaching up.
- Sit away from windows and use sunscreen when outdoors. (Some parents have had success putting UV light filters in classrooms.)