All parents hope their child is assigned a great teacher each school year. A teacher who can relate well to their students, who is passionate about teaching, who is kind, yet firm, with their class.

We all want the best for our kids, after all.

This is an even more crucial hope for special needs parents, who need their kids’ teachers to be all of the above and more.

As a parent of two kids with special needs, I need their teachers to be willing and able to include my kids in all aspects of class life. I need to be able to share information with them, have a line of open communication and be considered equal partners in my kids’ learning.

Unfortunately, we often have little to no say in who teaches our kids. Also, it’s not always possible to find out who they will be prior to the first day of the school year.

Not a good combination when you need to do all you can to prepare your kids for the year to come.

Which makes it vital that we find an effective way to share our child’s special needs with their new teacher, as early as we can, to ensure they can best support them from the start.

Now, I’m not advocating ambushing your child’s new teacher on the first day, as tempting as that may be. That’s not really the best start to establishing a positive relationship and could do more harm than good in the long run.

Instead, take the time to introduce yourself in the first week, in an informal way. I find that saying hello one day after class and having a quick chat to see how things are going works well. This is non-threatening, friendly and allows the teacher to put a face to your name. It’s a great way to build up rapport too.

Scheduling a meeting for a few weeks into term is also very useful. This gives your child’s teacher the time to assess how your child is in class, understand the dynamics of the classroom and develop some strategies that might help. In my experience, waiting a few weeks also helps the teacher be more receptive to your own ideas and advice.

However, if you really want to connect with the teacher from day one, preparing a letter of introduction is one of the best ways you can share your child’s special needs with their new teacher.

There are many benefits to sharing a letter of introduction with your child’s new teacher:

  • It’s a quick & easy way to let the teacher know of specific and important needs of your child
  • It’s non-threatening and gives you the chance to communicate directly if you can’t get to the school yourself
  • It allows you to share your child’s challenges, as well as their strengths and preferences
  • It’s a convenient way to give all teachers, aides and support staff consistent information about your child
  • It provides your child with the opportunity to share something about themselves, in a structured way.

 

How to share your child's special needs with their new teacher

As they grow older, encouraging your child to develop an introduction letter for themselves is a great first stepping stone in self-advocacy.

Preparing an introduction letter encourages your child to identify their challenges, recognise their strengths, understand their diagnosis and think about their hopes for the year ahead. These are all important considerations when seeking funding, benefits or reasonable adjustment as an adult.

It’s also a useful exercise for us as parents. Taking stock of these aspects of my kids’ personalities helps me to better understand them, their needs and how I can help them. I hope this can help me better advocate for them and understand what they want to do as they grow older.

If you are looking at putting together something like this, there are many examples you can use as a base for a letter of introduction:

Special Needs Student Resume

School Introduction Letter

Hey You’re Great Template

All About Me Selfie Template

 

As you can see, introduction letters can come in a variety of forms. There are so many options, possibilities and choices when it comes to developing your own.

I’ve put together a printable you can use below, which can be adapted for children of any age. Feel free to download and share with other parents too.

High School Introduction Letter for Special Needs Kids - https://www.positivespecialneedsparenting.com

 

I know I have mine ready for when Gilbert starts high school and for when Matilda begins her last year of primary school, in just over a week from now!

Good luck with sharing your child’s special needs with their new teacher (feel free to send some luck back my way as well!)

 

Do you have other suggestions for sharing your child’s special needs with their new teacher?

 

2017 Aussie Back to School Blog Hop

This article is part of the 2017 Aussie Back to School Blog Hop! Please read the articles here by some wonderful Australian Bloggers!  You will find out how the first time school mums are feeling, tips for special needs parents, great lunch box ideas as well as suggestions for those who don’t like crunch and sip!

 

2017 Aussie Back to School Blog Hop!

 

Teachers Please Don’t! | Your Kids OT

Advice For First Time School Mums From Seasoned Mums and Teachers | The Multitasking Woman

10 simple ways to make school lunches more fun  | Kidgredients

Teacher Types Top Tips for Going Back to School | Teacher Types

Maintaining a Play Filled Routine throughout the School Term  | Kids Play Space

5 Must Have Items for Starting Day Care | My Bored Toddler

Handling Crunch and Sip with Fussy Kids  | Play With Food

How to share your child’s special needs with their new teacher  | My Home Truths

16 things the school holidays have taught me  | Eenie Meenie Miney Mum

The Most Important Skills Your Child Needs for School  | The Happy Me Shop

101 Sandwich Filling Ideas for Kids  | Create Bake Make

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