top ten strategies for a great start to special education

Introducing—

Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start in

special education

Students with special needs require some special preparation

strategies to get your child’s school year off to a great start

with a focus on

special education

Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Provide InsightYou know your child in ways no one else does. Share what you know to be true and make room for new discoveries by others. Share what motivates, frustrates, frightens, and pleases your child so others can build upon this data.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Summer StatsCommunicate summer activities, progress, setbacks, new baselines, and other shifts the school team may not know. Help them find the right starting points for your child faster and more easily. Share specific examples when you can.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Be ReachableBe sure the school team knows exactly how to find you at all times. Be available, yet give them room to form their own new connection with your child. This is a team of professionals. Respond promptly to queries.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Extra Meds HandyIf your child requires meds, be sure the schedule is known to all. Put it in obvious places, laminated to the travel bag or chair. Be sure the school team knows the consequences of missing a dose. Offer to bring in a reminder timer.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Own Transit TimeTransit time can be stressful, so make it as easy as possible on your child and caregivers and staff. Plan for unexpected events, absences of key team members, and new additions. Anticipate, anticipate. Then, communicate.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Get the ScoopIf this year will bring a change relative to inclusion and other shifts in your child’s education, be sure you understand what this will look like. Ask questions. Ask to talk with others who have experienced similar changes.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Be “Extra” PreparedBe sure to send (and have extras) of special supplies your child depends on: hearing aids, glasses, and tech devices. Straws and stress balls can disappear. Be sure you understand any new supplies and new expectations the school may have for your child this year.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Get SmartBecome familiar with the scope and depth of the core curriculum and IEP that the school has created for your child. Learn what you can and should be doing at home to ensure progress. Learn how and when your child’s progress will be measured.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Echo, EchoAsk for tips and strategies that you can use to work with your child at home. Your goal is to echo the day’s routines and patterns whenever you can to reinforce them and to reassure your child, providing continuity.

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Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Celebrate VictoriesNotice how excited the school team is to work with your child. Progress comes in all sorts of ways. Celebrate every victory and strive to learn from bumps in the road. Ask the staff for help and insights. They see a side of your child you do not see. Learn more.

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All Together!Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Provide InsightSummer StatsBe ReachableExtra Meds HandyOwn Transit Time

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All Together!Top Ten Strategies for a Great Start: Special education

Get the ScoopBe “Extra” PreparedGet Smart

Celebrate VictoriesEcho, Echo

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These ten tips are designed for you to consider and customize

to meet the special needs of your special kids and your

school in the context of:

special education

Questions?Thank you!