What to Share with Your Child’s Teacher

A new school year means lots of new changes: a new teacher, a new classroom, new classmates, new daily routines (at home and at school), a new environment, new curriculum, new social variables, and new challenges. One of these, let alone multiple, can be overwhelming for any child, but especially for an autistic child.

Wanting to protect your child is a natural part of parenting, and those feelings can increase quickly when they’re in a new setting, such as school (and out of sight), all day. Many parents feel anxious at the start of the school year, especially if they’re not sure how to explain their child’s personality and preferences to their teacher. It is okay and normal to worry about how your child will handle such a major transition.

Instead of attempting to explain everything before the start of the school, there is a lesser stress option: create a starting point with your child's teacher. If a teacher has enough information to help them in the first initial weeks of school, it will allow the process to be more digestible and feasible instead of overwhelming. This will allow time and space for everyone to learn together at a slower pace.

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Explain how your child experiences the day instead of explaining just the diagnosis 
‍Most teachers will not fully understand the depth and differentiators of an autism diagnosis. Thankfully, a diagnosis by itself doesn’t explain who your child is. What can be more beneficial for all parties is explaining what a good or bad day may look like for your child. Consider describing specific behaviors and reactions, while also sharing what helps your child feel comfortable, engaged, and ready to learn, such as:

• Headphones or another familiar supports that help them concentrate better
• Favorite interests or topics, such as animals, music, maps, favorite characters, or a special hobby that brings them the most enjoyment
• Certain noises or transitions that can feel overwhelming (like the cafeteria or an unexpected fire drill) 
• Needing a little extra time, even just a few seconds, to answer a question out loud in class 
• Benefiting from a heads-up before any change in routine 

As a parent, you’re the expert on your child’s patterns. Describing them in clear, simple terms teacher can spot in the classroom versus the use of clinical language can provide information that is easily digestible and behavior that can be easily identified.

‍Review communication preferences, sensory needs, and regulation strategies
‍A classroom can include a lot of new elements for an autistic child, but three areas tend to matter most in the classroom:

Communication preferences‍

• How does your child best receive instructions: spoken, written, visual schedules, or a combination?  
• Does your child use any communication support, like an AAC device or picture cards?  
• Do they require extra time to process a question before responding? 

Sensory needs

• What specific sounds, lights, textures, or smells are difficult for your child? 
• Are there tools that help, such as noise-reducing headphones, a fidget, or a quiet corner to retreat to? 

‍Self-regulation and calming strategies ‍

• What does it look like when your child begins feeling overwhelmed? 
• What helps them reset: a visual aid break card, movement, time alone, a trusted adult checking in or asking? 
• What does your child look like when they are feeling comfortable and regulated? 

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Techniques that work at home are worth conveying to a teacher so they can be used in the classroom.

Tell teachers what is already working to eliminate guessing 
‍As an expert in understanding your child, sharing what already works can save a lot of time and effort. Many children have an IEP or 504 plan that covers individual accommodations for school and educational goals. While an Individualized Education Program (IEP) does a good job of outlining any extra support your child may need and helps keep them on track academically, it often misses the small, everyday strategies that make the biggest difference. If your child responds best to a certain way of being redirected, or if a specific phrase helps them feel more regulated, it’s beneficial to share that directly with their teacher. Most teachers value concrete, practical details more than general, high-level background information. Details can speak volumes!

If your child is receiving autism therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy outside of school, offer to connect them with your child’s therapeutic team to help provide additional understanding between home, therapy, and the classroom.

‍Create a short reference sheet about your child 
‍Teachers have a very demanding job, and their days do not allow for lengthy emails or documents. Instead, consider sending a one-page snapshot, or even a few short paragraphs in an email summarizing the following:

• 1-2 sentences about your child as a person, outside of their autism diagnosis 
• 2-3 things that tend to be a bit more challenging, and what helps 
• 2-3 things your child is genuinely good at or brings them joy 
• 2-3 favorite interests or activities that can help their teacher get to know and connect with them 
• A favorite photo of your child doing something they love or in their “happy place” 
• The best way to reach you, and how you'd like to stay in touch (email, a shared notebook, a quick phone call) 

As the school year progresses, additional details can always be added, especially as your child and teacher build a relationship together.

‍Plan for ongoing check-in's 
‍An email at the start of the year is always a good starting point to set a foundation, but 10 to 15-minute check-ins throughout the year, whether in person, by phone, or by video, allows your child's teacher to ask questions. It also gives you a chance to better understand if your child's IEP or 504 plan is being followed, what’s going well, if there are new challenges, or adjustments that need to be made. Teachers have a natural inclination to care about each of their students and your child is no different. Finding a collaborative way to create a partnership throughout the whole year will make a huge difference in their educational success.

For more information on IEP's and their importance, click here. Creating a supportive learning environment is essential to your child’s growth and success, so ensuring your child's teacher is set up for success with appropriate information is just as important!