Using a Communication Book: Staying in Touching with School

Home and school communication plays an important role in any child's academic success, but for the special needs child this is even more true. Many special needs students are unable to accurately recall the events of the day. Others may not have sufficient verbal skills to be able to tell Mom and Dad what happened at school. The parent-teacher communication book provides a valuable tool for exchange of information, and is also an informal way to build a stronger relationship between the special needs family and the staff who see the child at school.

What is a home and school communication book?

A communication book is any tool that allows for informal, regular exchange of information between school and home, and back again. Some people prefer to use a few lines in the student's school agenda, some create folders or binders that use a customized form to be filled in at school and home. Still others, like our family, prefer a blank composition book or diary with no predetermined format. Although it is often designated a parent-teacher communication book, it can be read or written in by other adults too. This includes professionals and paraprofessionals at school, or other caregivers and educators who see the child outside of school hours.

Read more...

Back to School: Letter to Your Child's Teacher

Back to school season can be an anxious time for any parent, but especially for those of us whose children have special needs due to learning disabilities, ADHD, autism or other conditions. There is a joy at seeing our kids go off on their own to have new adventures and learn new things, but our experiences have taught us there will be challenging moments. For many of us, we would like nothing more than to take that journey with our children so we can be there to lend a hand when they or their teachers need it.

Going to school with your child may not be an option, but you can send a part of yourself to the teacher, the integration aide or the resource team by writing a yearly introduction letter. For a new student, it helps to break the ice and to prepare school staff for dealing with the child's challenges in a positive manner. For a student returning to a familiar school and resource team, the letter serves as a summary of things that have changed over the summer vacation.

Read more...

Photo: Michael Connors