The Back-to-School Guide for Parents of Neurodivergent Kids

It’s almost that time again. Perhaps you’re scouring sales for backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes. Or maybe you’re getting in your last licks of summer with a getaway. By August and September, most children all around the United States will be heading back to school. It can be an exciting time, but for some students who struggle with learning disabilities, the start of a new school year might be accompanied by apprehension and anxiety. For neurodivergent kids, it is so important to prepare well for the school year so that confidence, capability, and positivity can shine. Read on to discover a back-to-school guide for parents of neurodivergent kids.

• Make it official. Has your child been tested for a specific learning disability? Heading into a new school year is a great time to work on getting an official diagnosis for your student. Students who are diagnosed with dyslexia often can gain access to additional resources like accommodations and interventions. A diagnosis also offers clarity to students and their families so that the best next steps can be taken to address a learning disability. Parents are instrumental in helping kids to get the right kind of help, and there are plenty of great resources available too; Dyslexia on Demand offers dyslexia diagnosis for students. 
• Get into the swing of things. Establishing a consistent, predictable routine can be life-changing for neurodivergent kids. Children who have a learning disability like dyslexia tend to thrive on predictability. If you have a few weeks to prepare (or even just a few days), start to practice a back-to-school routine that focuses on doing consistent wake-up and bed times, a little bit of academic work, and even some quiet time for reading or studying. You can also create a visual schedule for your student to follow; be sure to include the essential parts of their back-to-school routine, including getting ready for school, homework time, and after school activities. 
• Meet the teacher. Many schools host a meet the teacher day before the school year begins. Be sure to have an open line of communication with your neurodivergent child’s teacher. Whether you email your child’s teacher or you schedule a separate meeting before the school year starts, this can be an ideal time to discuss issues like dyslexia, plans and accommodations for the classroom, and any other details pertaining to your child’s academic plan. 
• Set some school year goals. Making progress and seeing gains in the classroom can be so encouraging for a student. For your neurodivergent student, you can work with a specialist to design a set of specific goals. For a student with dyslexia, these goals might be centered on reading comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary. Dyslexia on Demand operates with the help of Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALTs) who can help students to overcome struggles and to implement helpful tools to use in their academic life. Be sure to celebrate your student’s efforts and progress throughout the year. 
• Check out some tech. Will assistive technology be helpful for your student this school year? Visit your local library—or even work in the comfort of your own home—to discover how audiobooks and text-to-speech software might be helpful for your student during the school year. Take time to learn and  practice using these tools ahead of time so that they feel confident accessing them.
• Encourage self-advocacy for your student. If you have a child with a learning disability, you will want to help them to be able to navigate the school year with a sense of independence. Helping them to learn to communicate well with teachers—whether they need to ask for clarification or additional accommodations—is a very important life skill for neurodivergent kids. 
• Seek out some key resources. Thank goodness for the internet. Parents of students with dyslexia have plenty of great info at their fingertips on sites like: The National Center for Improving Literacy and the International Dyslexia Association. 
• Stay positive. Heading back to school can be stressful for all parties involved. For your neurodivergent child, create a supportive environment that can help them to be equipped for challenges they may face at school. 
• Find the right support for your student. When your student has dyslexia, it can feel isolating and especially difficult during the school year. Getting the right kind of help is so important to a student’s success—and even to a parent’s peace of mind. Dyslexia on Demand aims to make dyslexia therapy accessible to all students. The online dyslexia therapy programs they offer can help students with their self-image, and truly, they can change lives for the better. 

Does your child struggle with reading and the challenges of dyslexia? Reach out to Dyslexia on Demand. They offer one-on-one or group therapy opportunities with Certified Academic Language Therapists. These sessions take place at a high frequency—four times per week—to achieve maximum results for students. Whether you’re just getting started on this journey with your neurodivergent student, or you’re a seasoned parent looking for a successful solution for your dyslexic child, contact Dyslexia on Demand. Send an email to info@dyslexiaondemand.com, or learn more on our website.