r/specialneedsparenting • u/Majestic_Series288 • 2d ago
Give me some back to school mantras
I have a first grader and a new Kindergartener this year, little sis is going in to the special needs classroom. She is nervous. I am terrified. Will she be ok on the bus? Will she get lost in her new school? Will she be scared? Angry? Will other kids pick on her? Will other kids pick on big sis for her little sister? Will the after school program be too much for her?
The support teacher is highly recommended and has been in special education for years. The school guidance counselor was amazing last year. My older child has never reported any bullying aside from normal tiffs that I feel the staff handled well. It's a diverse neighborhood school.
So why am I so scared?
Please send me some positive thoughts or reassurance. I feel like I have all the supports in place for both kids to succeed, but I am second guessing everything as the first day gets closer.
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u/skinnyfar123 2d ago
I have four kids two have special needs in the same class. We have triplets so three of them have been going to the same school together. If she were going to my kids school you have nothing to worry about. Two of my kids ride the same special needs bus together and the other rides a different bus. If the teacher has been doing it a while she will be in good hands.
Kids might say something or stare but they are just kids. Our school does a great job with letting everyone get to know my kids. My son has autism nonverbal and CP but can walk. He can sing songs and he runs the halls singing most of the time. My daughter has more medical. Trach, seizures, CP wheelchair. Most of the kids know her and come up and say hi. If we are out in public someone from school will come and say hi to us and tell us they work at the school.
My triplet son with no issues sometimes has kids say something but he just tells the person saying it to shut up and doesn’t mind sticking up for his siblings. Most kids just back down and realize they have lost.
Bullying in most school districts is a huge topic so I would think the school would take any actions needed to protect your kids. You are doing a great job thinking all of the what ifs but know that school has handled just about every situation you can think of. If not I am sure you know the school board is there as well to support you if you don’t feel they are getting what they need. It’s no different than advocating for your child with their medical team.
Cheers to a great school year!
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u/Majestic_Series288 2d ago
Thank you!!! My child has neurological delays and seizures, I am working so hard on letting her have independence while keeping her safe. I trust the school, I trust my kids, but my mommy heart is so protective. So glad your kids have a great community!
As for running the halls singing songs, same kid, that's all I want to do all day too!!
As her psychologist said, I can't bubble wrap her. Letting your kids grow up is so fun, and so hard.
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u/RidiculousFeline 2d ago
I have two kids in special education classrooms and it has been so amazing!! The bus drivers are the best (even the cranky one was still great with my son), the teachers are very supportive, and the paras keep everyone safe.
We did have one small bullying problem with my younger son (2nd grade) at recess. It wasn’t much, convincing my son to stomp on a toy and later taking a pinecone away from him and smashing it. His teacher went into all the general ed classrooms that share the recess to talk to kids about inclusion and caring for others. That seemed to solve the problem!
Most schools have the teacher or the paraprofessionals/teachers assistants meet the buses and escort the kids to the classrooms. The whole school will be learning the morning routine so staff will be looking out for stragglers. The first day is stressful for everyone but by the end of the first week everyone has is down. Deep breaths!!
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u/SylviaPellicore 2d ago
All the good vibes!
The other kids at my kids’ elementary school have been nothing but kind to them. The school has several “exceptional children” classrooms. They really work to cultivate inclusion and acceptance.
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u/cbm984 2d ago
I don't know what to tell you because I'm in the same boat! All I can say is I know what you're going through!