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September 7, 2016 Fourteenth Edition
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It's the beginning of September; many of you have already begun the school year, and some of you are still looking ahead to it starting.
Will it be as bad as last year? Will the teacher or principal be calling frequently to tell you of yet another of your child's misdeeds? Will homework battles last 2 or 3 hours?
I know most (if not all!) RAD parents dread the upcoming school year and all the problems that'll come with it; yet, you're also glad to get a break from your child's crazy, weird, bizarre behaviours!
So... take a deap breath, relax for a moment, and read on for how to make your school days a little less crazy.
Love, Karen
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Teachers
- Be proactive with your child's teacher; set up a meeting and discuss your child's behaviours with them BEFORE the teacher calls you with a problem or your child has a chance to manipulate and triangulate in the classroom. Print off this Letter for the Teacher and bring it in with you.
- Communicating with your child's teacher several times a week to discuss strategies and how things are going will pave the way for when (if?!) there is a big issue at school.
- This letter about a Mini Tramp in the Classroom is also a great one to take in!
- Support the teacher in any decisions they make in their classroom; standing behind the teacher will give your child a powerful message that you are working together to help them out and keep them safe.
- Let the teacher know that your child has a sugar allergy and cannot eat any sweets or treats at school (sugar makes our kids hyper and crazy - definitley not something they need!!).
Before and After School Schedules
- Keeping your child on a set schedule will help to smooth out some of the rough transitions from home to school and back again.
- Have a morning routine that includes 5 minutes of strong sitting to give them time to relax for the day; and another 5 or 10 minutes to get their belongings gathered and shoes on, and be strong sitting by the door.
- After school spend a few minutes with your child, asking how their day was, doing a little bit of playtime, and giving them a high-protein snack.
Homework
- Set your child up with 30-40 minutes of homework time in a quiet area; you are the loving parent giving them the opportunity to improve their lives!! If they want to spend their time chewing on their toe nails, ripping their pages, or actually working - it's their choice! Let the consequences of an upset teacher or failing grades be a life lesson for them.
- Tell your child's teacher at the beginning of the year that ALL school work and homework is your child's responsibility; you will give them the opportunity to work on it, but whether they do the work or not is their choice.
- Let the teacher and your child know that you're okay with failing grades and repeated school years - you will still love your child!
Bus Drivers
- Many parents have to send their child on the bus to school, opening up a whole new bunch of problems, and adding yet another person for your child to lie to and manipulate. This Letter to Bus Drivers is a really great one to print off and hand to the driver along with some chocolates on the first day of school.
IEP
- Meet with the school staff to get an IEP for your child; have it incude a safety plan to keep your child and the other students safe.
- If you have an attachment therapist working with you, have them join you at the meeting, either in person or on a video conference call.
Resources for Teachers
Here is a list of great resources to share with your child's teacher and school staff:
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Click HERE to down load your FREE copy of this amazing chart!
It's a great tool to share with teachers and school staff, bus drivers, and anyone who will be interacting with your child at school!
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.”
Jeremiah 29:11
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