All the prep in the world won’t help a child if school overwhelms them or doesn’t meet their needs. So, really, it’s time to get the school ready to go back to your child. Here’s how.

It’s the time of year when emails roll in about SSPs, 504s, or IEPs. You get a document to sign, but it’s full of jargon, vagueness, and magical thinking. 

My kids’ IEPs (Individual Education Plans) were always packed with plenty about their problems as an “I” and how they disrupted everyone’s “E,” but very little on what the “P” was to help them.

As an educator, I always wanted my students to have clear, actually helpful plans (most teachers do, but not everyone knows how to make it happen, or has time). 

So, here’s what to include in a school plan (and what to watch out for) so it actually works in real life.

Practical ideas for making your meetings with the school, teacher, or behaviour team more effective, so your child can get the help they need.

It’s okay to ask the doctor to slow down. We can respect healthcare providers while still being effective, assertive advocates for our families. Here are some ideas for making sure you understand, protect your child, and survive the waiting room at the doctor’s office.

“What school is right for my child??” We’re talking Transition to Kindergarten (or any big step, honestly), what kinds of options you might have, and what your options are, realistically.

This month, many parents got a Safety Plan letter from the school. Maybe it makes it sound like your child is a hardened violent criminal. Maybe it has terrifying phrases like “presents danger to self and others", “call 911,” and “physical restraint.” It’s scary and mortifying. Teachers get these plans, generic, full of “strategies” that aren’t helpful in the moment of crisis, and containing little that seems like it will keep anyone safe.

It doesn’t have to be that way. A solid Safety Plan is actually a super useful tool. Read here for how to make yours solid and practicable.