With school starting around the corner, it can be overwhelming to get everything done before school starts. However, the key is organization and planning, don’t wait till the last minute to fill out forms or order supplies for your child. The paperwork can be time-consuming, but you can space it out between a few days to lessen the load.

• Make a list of everything that needs to be done.
• Notify the school if any changes in your child’s medical history occurred over the summer.
• Fill out medical forms to administer medication and signed in advance by a physician.
• Order extra medicine, if it needs to be kept at school.
• Order adaptive tools for the classroom with school supplies. These examples included noise cancellation headphones, bright line paper, privacy board, etc.
• Fill out medical forms, in advance, this can be time-consuming if your child has an extensive medical history, so take care of it before school starts. You want to have a plan of care/treatment established once they start school.
• Review your child’s IEP/ 504 plan, and check the accommodations and academic goals. If there are new accommodations that may have to take place, notify the school.
• If your child struggles with transitions, please prepare them for school a few weeks in advance. Often a new classroom and teacher can cause some children to experience anxiety.
• Have your child’s transportation (bus, carpooling, etc.) finalized.
• If you’re a working mom, decide on the after-school care of your child.
• Make sure your emergency contacts in the school’s system are correct and up to date, out of courtesy always inform the individual first. Also, have that contact store your child’s school number, in case of an emergency, so the call doesn’t get missed or categorized as spam calls.
• Label your child’s water bottle, binder, and jacket, some children can get overwhelmed easily, but labels on their items at school provide them with visual cues that help them pack up easier when school is dismissed.
• Get your children excited about school, kids will pick up your energy rather than it being an anxiety-provoking experience shift it to a fun place you can learn and see your friends.
• Some children take longer to adjust to a new routine, or environment than others, if that’s the case, give your child some time to adjust and help with the transition rather than being aggressive.
• Reschedule summer sports activities, therapies, and appointments to reflect the school schedule.