Back-to-School: How to Prepare Your Child with Disabilities

Beth’s first day of school is August 5, and we’ve been preparing her both mentally and emotionally for weeks. Even if your child with disabilities enjoys going to school, the change from the summer routine to leaving the home to return to a school schedule can provoke anxiety in both our children and in us as parents.

We hope these 9 Tips for preparing your child with disabilities to go back to school will help your family make a smoother transition into the new year.

1. Begin Preparing Early

This can be a double-edged sword. Two weeks ago, we explained to Beth that she will be returning to school. We need to prepare her, but all we’ve heard since is, “School?” And she doesn’t grasp the concept of two weeks. But now that we’re down to two days, we’re very glad that we began to prepare her early.

Mentioning the upcoming transition numerous times over the next couple of weeks can help your child become more comfortable with the idea.

You can take a calendar and mark the first day of school.

Each morning have your child mark off or put a sticker on that day. This visual makes it easier to understand how soon school will begin.

2. Read Social Stories

Social stories are picture narratives that help prepare children for situations and learn how to behave appropriately and cope. You can either create your own stories with actual pictures or find social stories online for free or for purchase.

We recommend taking actual pictures of your vehicle or a bus, of the outside of the school, and inside the school if possible.

Read the story with your child several times and allow them to ask questions.

Help your child plan ahead for how they will cope with the stressful transition and different situations at school.

Free or inexpensive social stories:

• Lots of different $2-3 social stories about returning to school on TPT!
• Free social stories about going to school on Autism Little Learners

3. Pray for Your Child

As medical or disability parents, we have so many reasons to worry about our children. Giving our cares to God helps us release the fallacy that we can control our children’s circumstances. God has the power to help our children beyond our abilities.

You can pray for your child’s safety, ask God to help them enjoy school, pray that your child’s behaviors will improve, and so on.

Praying will not only help your child, but you can also receive God’s peace for your worry. You can use these prayers to help you pray.

4. Drive to the School

Even if your child is not attending a new school, driving to the school and talking about it can help lower anxiety.

If possible, go in. If it’s a new school, request a tour.

Take pics of the main areas–the cafeteria, gym, classroom, OT and Speech Therapy rooms, etc.

If possible, play on the playground.

5. Give Choices for Backpack, Clothes, and Supplies

If you’re able to take your child shopping (I know for years we weren’t able to), allow them to pick out some clothes, shoes, lunchbox, and a backpack.

Finding the type of texture your child prefers could take several trips.

If taking your child shopping with you is not an option, then if feasible, purchase two or three backpacks, lunch boxes, or pairs of shoes, etc. and allow them to choose. Then return the other items. Having a choice helps them feel a sense of control.

Beth loves to put on her new backpack and pretend to go get on the bus. This week she’ll begin wearing her new shoes around the house to break them in.

Go ahead and cut the tags out. Make sure to practice wearing school uniforms.

6. Draw or Paint About Going to School

Encouraging your child to draw or paint how they feel about going back to school can help them process their fears. Or you can use an emotion’s chart. If your child communicates via a tablet, help them choose the emotion pic.

Looking at your child’s artwork can enlighten you to how they’re feeling.

Validate your child’s emotions and encourage them to ask questions. Repeat this exercise every couple of days.

7. Model Excitement in Place of Anxiety

Children mirror our emotions. If we become anxious, that communicates that there’s a reason to be anxious.

When the subject of school comes up, try to act excited and calm.

Then process your tough emotions with a friend or family member later. In no way are we suggesting you don’t validate your anxiety, grief, and stress.

Practice hugging goodbye and then hugging “after school.”

Also, the sooner we begin this process, the less stressed we will likely feel. There can be a list of tasks to complete before the first day of school–getting forms signed by the doctor, gathering medications, completing paperwork, coordinating with the school nurse, buying supplies, purchasing clothes or uniforms, buying chew toys or sensory items, and preparing for the IEP meeting.

We’ve discovered that if we begin working on this list weeks in advance, we don’t become as stressed.

8. Practice the Before School Morning Routine

Beginning to practice the morning routine can go a long way in lowering anxiety and stress levels during the first couple of weeks of school. You can create a picture schedule board to structure the morning.

Here’s an example of a visual schedule board for a boy.

If your child takes medications, a breathing treatment, bolus feed, etc., you can add in a pic for those activities.

You can also break down each step even more by creating or downloading visual cards like these.

If you’ll be walking your child to the bus stop or to the school, begin practicing the walk or practice getting into your vehicle.

After your child practices the routine, reward them with a small treat or celebrate together by doing something fun.

9. Schedule Playdates

If you know other parents and children attending your child’s school, consider scheduling a time for your children to spend some time together.

Interacting with another peer before the first day of school can help your child feel more comfortable.

And as parents, you can support one another throughout this transition!

What tip do you have for other parents?

Please share your idea in the comments.

Blessings,

Todd and Kristin

Learn healthy ways to process your mixed emotions.

Say these 5 prayers help you pray over your child as they begin a new school year.

Dr. Todd and Kristin Evans are celebrating 22 years of marriage. They are award-winning authors, speakers, and special needs parents. Their new book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities will release in May 2024 by Baker Books. They both earned their MA in Christian Educational Ministries at Wheaton College in Illinois and have served together in full-time ministry in church, camping, and retreat settings. Todd received his PhD from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering and currently manages his own business, and Kristin earned her MSW from the University of Tennessee and is a Licensed Master Social Worker experienced in couples, child and family, substance abuse, and crisis counseling. They enjoy traveling and the outdoors together.