SCHOOL YEAR 25-26: Starting Strong and Staying Strong

The first few weeks of school set the tone for the year.

Back-to-school is over, and we find ourselves once again re-establishing routines, playing phone tag with the school, and managing academic anxiety. The first few weeks of school set the tone for the year – and while we’re already a week or two in, it’s never too late to strengthen those routines, connections, and confidence. Whether your child has started in a new school or returned to familiar hallways, here are some strategies to help you and your family to navigate the year with less stress and more joy.

Ease Anxiety with Predictability

Predictability is your best tool when easing your child’s anxiety about school. Talk about what’s upcoming at school regularly. The frequency depends on your child. Some are able to talk about the week or month ahead while others require daily reminders of what will happen. You know your child’s needs best. It’s helpful in reviewing to use things like social stories, visuals including schedules and calendars, or short videos to preview activities – especially when there are changes in a typical routine. Things like assemblies and picture day can be as overwhelming as they are exciting.

Additionally, maintaining consistent before- and after-school routines can help anchor your child’s day and reduce uncertainty. It also makes your home into a predictable and safe space, reinforcing your relational safety with your child, and instilling them with confidence.

Using tools such as an individualized shedule can help ease anxiety with predictability.

Build Connections with School Staff and Community

If you haven’t already, set up a time to meet one on one with your child’s primary teacher, whoever will be spending the most time with them throughout the year. This meeting can be in person or over zoom but avoid phone calls as you’ll want to be able to share some visual information with them. This information can be in the form of an All About Me book you’ve created with your child or fill out one of Autism Community Network’s Living & Learning Profiles, which has guided questions. It’s meant to be a way to talk openly with your child’s teacher about your son or daughter’s strengths, interests, sensory preferences, and any other needed support. You may be thinking, “It’s too late! School’s already started,” but it’s not. In fact, waiting until the second or third week of school allows your child’s teacher to form an impression of them with fresh eyes which not only benefits their initial relationship with your child, but allows them to come to the table with you to offer other ideas in response to your concerns thus putting you on more even footing during the meeting. Keep this connection solid throughout the school year by  continually reinforcing the relationship by sharing both concerns AND celebrations. Teachers want to hear about successes too.

Also, even though “Meet the Teacher” night has passed, you still have opportunities to find community for yourself and your child within the school. Consider attending “Open House,” and joining your school’s PTA. Staying up to date and informed about school culture and events is how you can in turn prepare and support your child. Additionally, when parents join the school PTA or volunteer, studies show they significantly improve their family’s quality-of-life and their child’s overall academic outcomes.

Consider joining the PTA and school events to build community for you and your child.

Stay Organized and Informed

Maintain a communication log for calls, emails, and meetings. Keep IEPs, evaluations, and notes in one place. Make sure they are in reverse chronological order with the newest on top so you have a record of the changes as well as the most current information at your fingertips. Staying organized now makes future problem-solving much smoother, and increases your personal sense of self-efficacy over time.

Moreover, stay informed to stay empowered. Laws, supports, and resources in education, particularly special education are constantly evolving. Stay up to date through sites like SPEDTex.org and know how changes might affect your child’s schooling.

More Ongoing Success Tips

• Check in often with your child about how school feels – not just about academics, but friendships, recess, and lunchtime too.

• Collaborate on goals with your child and their teacher, so that everyone has ownership over the progress they’re making.

• Celebrate small wins to keep motivation high.

• Plan for transitions (holidays, testing weeks, schedule changes, etc.) well in advance to minimize stress.

Check in with your child and their teacher fairly often to talk about how they're feeling.

You know your child best. By staying attuned to their needs, offering predictable structure, and maintaining strong communication with school staff, you can help make the 25-26 school year one of growth, empowerment, and joy.

If you need support at any point, Autism Community Network is here for you. Email us at info@acn-sa.org or call at 210-435-1000.