Returning to school can bring a lot of feelings—for both children and parents. After a long break from the rhythms of the classroom, getting ready to go back can be a challenging transition. For families of children with disabilities, additional considerations like: changes in routine, sensory overload, transportation, communication, new environments and unfamiliar people, can bring overwhelm and uncertainty as school starts back up.
But preparing for a new school year doesn’t have to mean trying to solve everything at once. The goal isn’t a perfect first day. It’s helping your child feel safe enough to take the next step. That might mean starting with just one or two areas where your child needs the most support and building from there.
WILC/PILS would like to offer these practical ways families can prepare for a smoother, safer return to school. See the bottom of this page to download these strategies as a printable PDF.
Start With What You Know
1. Learn from last year
First, think back to what worked and what didn’t during the previous school year. Were there particular situations, transitions, environments, or times of day that created challenges? Identifying those barriers can help you anticipate what your child may need this year.
2. Restart the routine
Don’t wait until the night before school to reintroduce the school-day schedule. Begin at least a week before school starts, gradually adjusting sleep, wake-up, meals, and other routines so the transition isn’t quite so abrupt.
3. Communicate about changes
Even when we prepare carefully, school won’t always go exactly according to plan. Talk with your child about changes they might encounter and help them develop strategies for coping with those changes.
4. Practice asking for help
For some children, knowing how to communicate that they are overwhelmed or need assistance can make a significant difference. Practice the words, cards, signals, or other methods your child can use to seek help at school.
Make the School Day More Predictable
5. Practice the bus ride
If your child will be taking the bus, find out the route and practice it ahead of time. Familiarity can make the first day feel less overwhelming.
6. Create a school story
Talk through what a typical school day might look like. A simple “school story” can help your child anticipate the people, places, activities, and transitions they may encounter.
7. Make the day visual
Visual schedules and First/Then boards can help children understand what comes next and provide a concrete way to move through the day.
8. Visit before day one
If possible, visit the school before classes begin. Seeing the building, classroom, transportation area, or other important spaces ahead of time can help make the environment more familiar.
9. Prepare for hard moments.
Rather than hoping difficult moments won’t happen, think ahead about what might trigger overwhelm and create a clear plan for what your child can do when it happens.
Build a Circle of Connection and Safety
A successful transition isn’t only about preparing the child. It’s also about making sure the adults around them understand what they need.
10. Introduce your child
Consider preparing a “Get to Know My Child” sheet for school staff. Share information that will help them understand your child’s strengths, needs, communication style,etc.
11. Find a safe adult
Identify someone at school your child knows they can go to when they need help, reassurance, or a break.
12. Tell staff what works
Share your child’s known triggers and the strategies that help them manage difficult situations. When the adults supporting a child understand what works, they are better positioned to respond consistently.
13. Agree how to communicate
Talk with the school about how home and school will communicate about challenges, progress, changes, and emerging needs. Clear communication can help everyone stay on the same page.
14. Listen to the behavior
When a child is struggling, behavior can communicate something important. Ask yourself: What is my child trying to tell me?
Looking beyond the behavior itself can help parents and educators better understand what a child may need in that moment.
Make Sure Supports Are in Place
The return to school is also an opportunity to revisit the supports your child is entitled to and make sure they continue to reflect their current needs.
15. Review the IEP and supports
Check that your child’s IEP and other supports are up to date and understood. If your child’s needs have changed, this is an important time to make sure the appropriate people are aware.
16. Adapt the return to your child
Not every child needs the exact same transition. Depending on the circumstances, consider whether a staggered return or another individualized approach could help make the transition more manageable.
17. Pack sensory supports
If your child uses particular tools to manage sensory overload, make sure those supports are ready to go. Preparing those tools in advance can help your child manage challenging moments during the school day.
And Remember: Recovery Is Part of the Process
Sometimes the hardest part of the school day doesn’t happen at school. A child who has worked hard to manage the demands of a new routine may need time and space to decompress afterward.
18. Protect recovery time.
Allow your child time to decompress after school. The transition back may take energy, and giving them room to recover can be just as important as preparing them for the day ahead.
19. Start small.
Set realistic goals and build from there. A successful transition doesn’t have to mean that everything goes perfectly from day one. Small steps forward count.
20. Keep the focus on safety and connection.
Ultimately, preparation is about more than getting a child through the school doors. It’s about helping them feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. And that can look different for every child.
You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone
For parents, preparing for a new school year can sometimes feel like a full-time job, especially when you’re trying to understand educational supports, anticipate challenges, communicate with school staff, and make sure your child has what they need to succeed.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
If your family needs additional information, guidance, or support navigating the return to school, Putnam Independent Living Services’ Parent Training & Information Center (PTIC) is available as a resource for families.
Putnam Independent Living Services
Parent Training & Information Center
845-228-7457
Download Back-to-School Strategies as PDF: Back to School English | Back to School Spanish
