For parents of autistic youth or those with developmental differences, ensuring their child feels supported and understood at school is essential. School should be a place where every child can thrive, and collaboration between parents, teachers, and school staff is key. Here’s how you can support your child’s success and advocate for their needs.
Best Practices for Supporting Autistic Students and those with Developmental Delays
Inclusive classrooms work best when they prioritize flexibility, understanding, and tailored strategies. Though these strategies are ‘good for all’, for autistic students and those with developmental delays, these practices can be particularly helpful:
Clear Routines: Predictable schedules reduce anxiety and help children transition smoothly between activities. Visual schedules can provide additional clarity.
Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Calm corners, fidget tools, and noise-canceling headphones can help children self-regulate during overstimulating moments.
Strengths-Based Teaching: Recognizing and celebrating a child’s strengths builds confidence and motivates learning.
Multi-Sensory Instruction: Teaching methods that combine visual, auditory, and hands-on approaches ensure accessibility for all learners.
Generalizing Skills: Teaching only a small number of key skills at one time so a child has the chance to master the skill and apply it in other settings.
Community Building: Encouraging classrooms to embrace uniqueness by learning about differences, modelling neuroaffirming language, and teaching emotional literacy.
What Makes an Effective IEP?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is one of the most powerful tools for supporting your child’s education. A well-crafted IEP ensures your child’s unique needs are understood and their strengths are highlighted. Here’s what makes an IEP most effective:
Personalized and Attainable Goals: Goals should be specific, measurable, and tailored to your child’s strengths and challenges. The skills your child is working on should be achievable and developmentally appropriate.
Clear Accommodations: These might include a quiet space to work, access to assistive technology, flexible seating, or breaks for sensory regulation. Want to know more about accommodations and modifications that can be included in IEPs? Visit our blog on the topic here.
Regular Updates: As your child grows, their needs may change. Ensure the IEP is reviewed at least once a year to remain relevant.
Collaboration: Teachers, special education staff, and parents should all contribute input. Your voice as a parent is crucial.
It is recommended that IEP goals target not only academic skills, but other areas of personal development that are relevant to your child. For example, children with language difficulties might benefit from an IEP that includes functional strategies to improve their communication (either verbally or nonverbally). For others, motor skills might be an area to target on the IEP.
Want to know more about IEPs and IPRC? Visit out blog on the topic here.
Did you know? IEPs can also include more general life skills!
An essential area of skill development for students with developmental delays is often practical, everyday skills. If your child requires support for personal care or other daily living tasks, ask your school if they can develop 1 or 2 goals within your child’s zone of proximal development that will help them to become more independent.
What is the Zone of Proximal Development?
The Zone of Proximal Development represents the distance between what a learner can do with help and without help. In other words, tasks that a learner can do with some support. The idea here is that with scaffolding (or providing lots of support at first and gradually removing support), learners will become more independent. Think about riding a bike – if your child can ride a bike with training wheels (i.e., scaffolding), over time you will be able to remove the extra wheels. Using another example, if your child can trace the letters of their name, chances are writing their name independently is within their zone of proximal development.
Questions to Ask the School
Caregivers play a vital role in advocating for their child. When meeting with teachers or school staff, consider asking:
What accommodations are available for sensory or emotional regulation needs? For example, is there a quiet space for breaks or a sensory circuit?
How are transitions supported during the school day? Sudden changes can be difficult; ask about how transitions are prepared for and managed.
What opportunities exist for peer connection and social inclusion? Ask about lunch groups, buddy systems, or clubs that foster friendships and reduce isolation.
How is communication with parents maintained? Regular updates about your child’s progress or challenges help you stay informed and involved. This information will give clues about what’s working and not working for your child at school.
How often will my child’s progress be reviewed? Review of IEP goals and supports should be ongoing. As a parent, you should be invited to meetings where your child’s programming is being discussed.
How are you measuring IEP goal success? Written IEP goals are a great start, but for goals to be effective, a specific plan for teaching skills and measuring success is important.
How will we know when a goal needs to be adjusted? In a similar way, establishing a system to recognize when goals need to be changed or broken into smaller parts is just as essential.
Building Strong Partnerships
A strong school-home partnership is invaluable. Regular communication with teachers and school staff can help resolve challenges quickly and celebrate successes. Attend parent-teacher meetings, IEP reviews, and school events to stay connected and visible.
Other professionals you may consider adding to your support network can include:
Speech and Language Pathologists to help expand expressive vocabulary or develop alternative communication methods.
Occupational Therapists to support motor skills, self-regulation, or sensory needs.
Psychologists to assess development or mental health and provide therapeutic support.
Social Workers to offer therapy and help families access community resources.
Conclusion
Every child deserves a classroom where they feel valued and supported. By advocating for best practices, asking the right questions, and ensuring an effective IEP, you can help create a positive educational experience for your child.
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