Letting your child go off to school is hard for any parent, especially the parent a of special needs child.
First time school experience
Having a child with a disabiility can be so challenging especialy sending them out for their first time school experience which can be difficult for both the child and the parent. Parents worry about their safety and the transition to a new enviroment and the child can also feel apprehensions in this transition as well. You can help your child and yourself with these practical steps.
Just simply talk about it with them
Helping your child understand by talking to them beforehand will make for an easier transition. Even if your child is not verbal, the calm positive tone you set about school should help your child not feel threatened by this new experience. When you stay calm about the transition, your child will feel this emotion and stay calm as well.
Try to gradually make this change
Enroll your child, prior to attending school full time, into a program for a few hours a day. Check with your school district and see what they offer for a child with special needs. This makes the first time at school transition easier for everybody. Also research all your options of schools in your area to investigate what type of programs are offered at each school in your district before you enroll your child to one.
Talk with your child’s Study Team
Your child's "Study Team" will be able to explain the learning environment and program to you and focus on any of your question or concerns. This will help you to understand exactly what the process will be and help relieve any anxiety that you may be having during this time. But don't wait for school to start to do this, try to schedule a meeting at least a week before hand the staff is usually back in the school community.
Remember this is a good thing for both of you
Remember you will get a break that is probably much needed during this time and the child while not only gain an individualized academic education, but the child will also have structure, socialization and enrichment in their daily schedule. Although some special needs child do not vocalize much about the peer engagement, the interaction with other children can be very significant. This is very important to both of you.
Whatever the disability your child is experiencing, knowing how to handle this new transition will make you and your child's first full time school year an easier one. Just follow the tips given here and the school year should run much smoother for the both of you. Transitions can be a great experience for the whole family.