As parents of a special needs child, we understand how challenging it can be to create a strong connection between school and home. Children who are autistic or have severe speech delays, behavior issues, sensory issues, or emotional outbursts tend to isolate themselves from school and home. They consider these two places as separate lives and do not talk about one in the other. We went through the same with our son Stony. He used to come home and not talk about school for weeks or months.
In this blog, we will share with you the tricks that helped us integrate school and home and make changes. We hope these tips will help other parents like us and give them simple ideas to try.
The Importance of Communication
For a special needs child, it is crucial to help them develop properly and integrate into school. It is essential to have sufficient communication and interaction with the child’s school and to have a strong conception and idea about the child’s life and environment there. It is even more important when the child tends not to share their school experiences and emotions at home.
Often these kids are not able to tell their stories/incidents in school and unable to share and explain what has made them cry or laugh. In many cases, even if they have the emotional urge to share something with mom or dad, they are mentally unable to do so. It is also crucial for us to know more about our child’s school life. An unexpected meltdown can happen at home, and we want to know what was the real source.
Working with the School
In my experience with my own child, Stony, he used to come home and not talk about school for days, weeks, and even months. When I asked him about it, he would just laugh like he had a secret and sometimes even made me stop asking. I tried various approaches, but none of them seemed to work. We began to feel hopeless and isolated from him, like he was a secret agent.
We knew that it was important to understand our child’s school life in order to help him integrate properly and develop. This is especially crucial for special needs children who may have trouble sharing their experiences and emotions in school with their parents. We wanted to be able to know what had made our child upset, whether it was something that happened in school or if he was going to be sick.
Despite our efforts, we were unable to get a photo of Stony’s classmates, which would have been a helpful link between his school and home life. However, we didn’t give up and worked together with Stony’s school to find alternatives.
Through our efforts and the help of his school, we were able to come up with some tricks that worked for us. As a result, Stony began to talk more about school at home and share his stories and feelings toward school. We also gained a better understanding of his life in school, which helped us relate to him better and be more aware of his emotional state.
The following are some of the tricks that have worked for us:
A Talking Topic Notebook
Keeping a simple notebook in your child’s backpack can help improve communication between parents and teachers. At the end of each day, parents can write 2 to 3 things that happened with their child, which the teacher can read and discuss with the child the next day. This can help the child feel more connected to their home life while sharing their experiences with their teacher. Likewise, the teacher can write some lines about what happened in school, which parents can use to start conversations with their child.
Use online remote communication platform like Klassly, Classting, Seesaw or Bloomz
These are friendly tools for school-to-home communication facilitates that allows students and teachers to document and share what they are learning or teaching in school. Students can use photos, videos, drawings, text notes, and links to showcase what they know. Parents can view their child’s portfolio and comment on their work or share it with family members. It’s an excellent way to help parents stay informed and connected with their child’s school life.
Make a Social Story
A social story is a visual tool that helps children with special needs understand specific social situations. They can be created with the child’s participation or with the help of a teacher. The story should explain what will happen in the situation, how the child is expected to behave, and what the consequences might be. Social stories can help prepare the child for new experiences, reduce anxiety, and promote positive behavior.
Use Visual Aids
Visual aids can be beneficial for children who have trouble processing language or who are non-verbal. Teachers can use pictures, charts, or diagrams to help the child understand the daily schedule or routines. This can help the child feel more organized and secure in their environment. Parents can also use visual aids at home to reinforce the child’s routine or communicate important information.
Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are an excellent opportunity for parents to discuss their child’s progress, behavior, and any issues that may arise. It’s essential to be open and honest with the teacher and ask questions about how to help your child. It’s also a chance to build a positive relationship with the teacher and school, which can benefit your child’s overall experience.
Conclusion
Helping a special needs child integrate school and home can be challenging, but it’s essential for their development and well-being. By establishing a strong connection between school and home, parents can provide the right support and help their child feel more connected and secure in both environments. Using the above tips, parents can take an active role in their child’s education and make a positive difference in their lives. Other solutions include seeking out additional resources, like support groups or therapy, and advocating for your child’s needs with their school.
