Working with Your Child’s School

A question I am often asked is how we managed to obtain supports at school for our son. The short answer is get involved.  Simple I know, but it is the best advice I received prior to our son going to school. 

I was fortunate to be able to be home full-time when our son started school.  I volunteered three mornings per week in the learning centre which afforded me direct access to the resource teacher.  She was an excellent sounding board when I was struggling with our son’s behavior and related learning challenges; and was able to provide advice grounded in experience. I also got to know my son’s teacher, the educational program assistant in my son’s classroom and the principal. 

Communication with your child’s school is key.  Don’t assume your child’s teacher will know how to best teach your child, or know what your child needs.  You know your child best.  It is important to share with the school what works for your child at home and what doesn’t; and which interventions have you sought. 

The services your child may have been provided pre-school will not automatically be transferred to school.  You will need to ensure the school is provided with reports and ensure you sign authorization for ongoing need for these services to be assessed.  I found this especially frustrating because the occupational therapy our son received pre-school was incredibly helpful; and I assumed these services would be in place when our son started school.  I shared reports and met with the principal of our son’s school previous to school starting; however in September I needed to complete a form to request occupational therapy services. There was a delay in having interventions put in place in the classroom as a result of this process.

I believe my son’s school staff does as much as it can with the resources afforded.  Unfortunately, it is not always sufficient for all children.  It is also important to know that resources provided through school do not continue over the summer months.  If your child requires ongoing intervention, seek out services available within your community.  Near the end of our son’s first year of school, I sought out additional resources through our public health care system.  Our son attended an assessment and was assigned to an occupational therapist who he continued to see during the next school year.  The occupational therapist worked with our school.

The important message here is that you must partner with your school to ensure your child gets what s/he needs.   If you are struggling with obtaining services, you need to ask why.  Speak with your principal, the learning teacher(s) and your child’s homeroom teacher.   Communicate your concerns and work with your school on solutions.  And keep asking!