A BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRIMER : PAVING THE WAY FOR A SMOOTH START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR

The following tips can help parents ease their child's transition to the more structured days that accompany the regular school year.

CREATING A HEALTHY SLEEP ROUTINE

• Set a regular sleep schedule. If your child has been staying up later and sleeping in later during summer vacation, it's wise to gradually move towards the new schedule. Go to bed and get up in the morning at the same time, even on the weekends, changing bedtimes and wake-up times by 15 minutes every few days, to allow for a gradual adjustment.
• Prepare for sleep with a "quiet time" routine. This might include turning down the lights, which signals winding down. Also, try relaxing activities, like reading a book together, giving a bath or gentle massage, or listening to music. Each child is different, but favorite blankets, pillows and stuffed toys can help create a calming place for sleep. If sounds are relaxing for your child, play soft music, nature sounds, or white noise.
• Keep eating times consistent. Going to bed with a full stomach can lead to a restless night's sleep. It's also wise to avoid caffeine and sugar. Remember that many sodas, as well as snacks with chocolate, are also high in those stimulants.
• Practice your morning at-home routine for getting up earlier, having breakfast and getting dressed. This is especially important if you're integrating school into your own pre-work routine, since your stress can escalate your child's anxiety.
• Avoid screen time before bed. The blue light emitted by TVs, phone and computer screens stimulates the brain at a time when it is important to relax.
• Get regular exercise in the morning or early afternoon. Exercise helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation, but vigorous exercise immediately before bed may keep your child awake. Balanced routines are especially important for children with special needs, so make sure your child is getting the right amount of sensory and/or physical activity throughout the day.

EASING THE RETURN TO SCHOOL

• Visit the campus before the first day of school, if it's accessible. With an entire summer away from school, it can be helpful to simply walk around the grounds and get familiar with the layout. If you can't visit the classroom, locate the playground, eating areas, restrooms, and any other places your child may encounter.
• Take pictures of new people and places. Once school has started, help ease anxieties about unfamiliar people and surroundings by taking pictures of the school, classroom, teacher and staff. It can be helpful to make a photo book or digital slide show to walk your child through the key people and places she or he encounters during a typical school day.

PARTNERING WITH YOUR SCHOOL TEAM

• Become an expert on your child's IEP. No one knows your child better than you do, so carefully examine your child's Individualized Education Program and ensure that plans developed in the spring are still on-target with your child's current needs. If you think the plan may need adjusting, don't hesitate to request an IEP meeting.
• Be involved throughout the year. Find out when Back-to-School Night will occur at your child's school, and put the date on your calendar. This is an important time to meet the teacher, learn about the daily classroom routine and classroom expectations. There may be time to chat about how your child is adjusting to the classroom. Also, when completing school enrollment forms, look for an invitation to join the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) or other committees that involve parents. Involvement in a CAC allows you to meet school administrators outside of an IEP meeting, and can deepen your knowledge about special education services in your school district.
• Know when to request an IEP meeting. Any time you have concerns or questions, you can always schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss your child's progress. However, it's critical to understand that only items that appear in the IEP — such as goals and services — are required to be provided. So, if you want to change goals, services or placement, you should formally request an IEP meeting, even mid-school year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Larry Landauer is Executive Director for Regional Center of Orange County, the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for nearly 25,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at rcocdd.com