End of the School Year Transitions
If your student is transitioning to a new classroom or a new school the following school year, it is a good idea to plan for that transition ahead of time. Speak with your child's education team about creating an opportunity to visit their new classroom with their current teacher before the school year ends. Venturing into the new classroom with their current teacher will help keep the student calm.
Allow the student to become comfortable with the new classroom and the new classroom teacher at their own pace. Encourage them to explore the classroom and find things they may be interested in. Try bringing a favorite toy or activity to the new classroom to let the student know that the new classroom will be a comfortable place to learn much like their old classroom was. This " field-trip" can be repeated as necessary to help the student become comfortable in the new environment.
If your student is transitioning to a new school walk around the whole building to give them an idea of where everything is. Look for places that are important to the student such as the cafeteria, bathroom, library, classroom, etc. If your student is feeling overwhelmed you could create a map of the school for them to hold onto. Having a map may help the student feel more comfortable in the new school environment.
If your student is feeling comfortable with their new teacher and their new school environment, try introducing to key staff at the new school such as the OT, PT, counselor, paraprofessionals, and the principal. Creating a book with the pictures of the new people and what they do to send home with the student for the summer is a great way to help the student get to know the school staff.
Book of the Week:
My New School: A Workbook to Help Students Transition to a New School/ by Melissa L. Trautman; foreword by Brenda Smith Myles. Autism Asperger Pub. Co., 2010.
Description:
"For many students with autism spectrum disorders, even relatively minor changes to their daily routines and schedules are overwhelming; imagine how traumatic moving to a new school would be! Written by somebody who truly knows kids, this interactive book addressed directly to the student takes a practical and honest approach to this anxiety-provoking subject by acknowledging the difficulties transferring to a new school can bring and engaging the students in a series of proactive activities designed to lessen his fears by resulting in tangible steps to take, to-do lists, checklists, etc. Whether the transfer is due to a typical transition between school levels, a family move, divorce or whatever, this book is sure to make the transition smoother."--Publisher's website.
This book is in the SESA Library. You may search the library catalog via the SESA website (http://www.sesa.org), or contact Anne directly by email at afreitag@sesa.org or by phone at 907-334-1301.
