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Back to School for Down Syndrome Kids

Knowing the School Builds Understanding in Special Needs Kids

Aug 1, 2009 Lynn Moore

The child with Down syndrome can easily become frustrated and overwhelmed with a change in routine. A visit to school can help the child predict what will happen.

If the school holds a beginning of the year open house, plan a little extra time to walk through the places the child will visit everyday. It assist the child with special needs in transitioning back to school. If there is not an open house, rest assured that all classes (special education or not) spend time on the first days with explanation of key places and routines.

No matter when the walk-through is done, the important places to visit in the school are the same ones that the child will visit frequently in the course of a school day. Plan to enter through the same door where the child will enter. If the bus will drop off at a back hallway door the school will look very different than it does at the main entrance.

The Special Needs Classroom

The child will spend most of his day in the classroom. The child with Down syndrome will be most comfortable if he has seen his classroom, his desk, and the place where his things will be stored (locker or cubby). Point out the child’s name to give him a sense of immediate belonging.

School Cafeteria

A school cafeteria can be a very busy place. To the child with Down syndrome it can be confusing and overwhelming. Walk through the serving line area. Then, walk to the place where the child’s class will be sitting. Last, point out the place where trash and used trays are deposited.

Health Care Worker for Special Education

Whether or not the child is on medication, it will be important to visit the nurse’s office. Meeting the caring person who will be able to address illness or injuries will be reassuring.

Bathroom Near the Special Education Classroom

Make a point to have a bathroom stop during the visit. The location of the bathroom as well as how it is set up is important for the child with Down syndrome. Little things, like whether or not the water turns on automatically, are big things to the child with special needs who is trying to get to know a new place.

Consider using pictures for at-home discussion. Perhaps the orientation was part of the child’s first day of attendance. Ask the teacher, if it is possible to photograph the parts of the school building to use in how-was-the-day discussions throughout the year.

Experiencing a new place with walk-through, pictures, and discussion helps the child or teen with Down-syndrome approach the new year with confidence. Coordinating times with the child’s teacher builds value home-to-school rapport.

The copyright of the article Back to School for Down Syndrome Kids in Special Needs Parenting is owned by Lynn Moore. Permission to republish Back to School for Down Syndrome Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The New Special Ed Classroom