Help Your Neurodiverse Child Have a Great Day at School

Navigating school life can be tricky for any kid, but neurodiverse children often encounter their own unique set of obstacles and opportunities.

If you're a parent or caregiver, you're in the perfect position to help your child thrive. This guide will walk you through practical ways to prepare your little one for a great day at school and help them unwind when the final bell rings.

What is a neurodivergent child? 

Kelley Brazeau, the Executive Director of Diverse Learners and Whole Child Supports at Reynoldsburg City Schools, explains that neurodiversity is a way of understanding that people have different ways of socializing, developing, behaving and processing sensory information.

In the classroom, Brazeau says that neurodivergent children are those who need extra help with their learning. This often includes children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and various mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, ODD and bipolar disorder.

How is a school day different for neurodiverse kids? 

A student with neurodiversity can have a school day similar to their peers. However, Brazeau emphasizes the importance for teachers to understand and meet the unique needs of all students to help them succeed.

This doesn't mean neurodiverse students lack access to specialized educational plans and services. Brazeau explains that these services are tailored to each student's strengths and needs, as outlined in their Individual Education Plan (IEP).

"Whether it's dimmed lighting, early lunch breaks or personal headphones, it's essential for each student to have the necessary tools for success," she adds.

What sensory inputs make school more challenging for some neurodiverse kids?

Because schools are big places that are loud, active and unpredictable, Brazeau says they can be triggering to neurodiverse kids.

"Schools have bell schedules, morning announcements, unexpected changes (substitute teachers or fire drills) and even the smells from the cafeteria that can change daily," she explains.

She further elaborates, "These sensory inputs can be particularly challenging for neurodiverse students, as alterations to their environment may feel difficult, uncomfortable and unsettling. Therefore, it's crucial to remember that students with neurodiversity are unique individuals, and understanding each student's specific needs is essential for their personal success in the school setting."

What should parents know that would help them prepare their neurodiverse kids for school?

Flexibility is key

While there are schedules at school, Brazeau says that parents should know that these can change at a moment's notice. "For example, a snow day can be challenging for a student with neurodiversity," she explains. "Flexibility is key, and building opportunities for students to practice being flexible and providing social stories can be helpful."

Plan ahead

"Parents should ask their school teams about transition opportunities so their child can visit the building, the playground, their classroom, the cafeteria, etc., before school starts, even before the open house or meet-the-teacher night," suggests Brazeau. "Providing opportunities to prepare a schema for the school year by visiting the building frequently is helpful and may reduce anxiety. Also, ask your school team if you can take pictures of the rooms and teachers so your child can reference them."

Create a social story

Brazeau also suggests that creating a social story (a tool used to help neurodivergent students) can be equally helpful for a successful day at school.

She recommends, "Ask your school team to make a social story with word phrases and pictures of the different areas, various people and the schedule of the day. Pairing that with the expectations around the different parts of the school day is a huge endeavour but a key component for preparing our students for success."

How can parents help set their nd kids up for success each day?

Parents can help set up their neurodiverse children for success each day by remembering that communication is key, says Brazeau.

"Communication with their school team is critical," she explains. "Informing the teacher about their child's morning or evening prior is helpful so the school team understands the 'why' behind the student's emotions, excitement, frustration, etc."

Pairing communication with behaviour expectations is also helpful, as is using language similar to the building's Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) model, explains Brazeau. "Finding commonalities between home and school, the two places that are such a large part of a student's life, is important," she adds.

What do neurodiverse kids need before school?

Before the school day begins, Brazeau suggests that parents should openly communicate with their neurodiverse children about what to expect.

"Parents can talk about school being a fun and safe place to learn," she says. "Talking about school in a positive light is important so the student can build comfort around attending."

Establishing a schedule before the end of summer also helps. Brazeau says, "Back-to-school is a busy time, so providing an opportunity to start the school year bedtime routine about a week before school can be helpful. That way, the student begins transitioning from a summer schedule and routine to the school schedule before the night before school."

What do neurodiverse kids need after school?

All students need different things for success in school, and students with neurodiversity are no different.

Brazeau explains, "What works for one student may not work for another. However, being a detective and paying attention to your child's needs is important to reduce dysregulation. Teach them how to release their steam and stress—sometimes, a student needs a preferred snack.

"Using a visual schedule can also be helpful," Brazeau adds, "This allows students to see their options, so they don't have to independently decide but rather select from a few options of what to do when they get home after school."

What do educators wish parents did more? What about less?

"I'm sure if we polled educators, we would get a variety of responses, but overall, I think communication is what would rise to the top of their answers," says Brazeau.

She further elaborates, "Continuously sharing updates, celebrations and areas of improvement is critical so we can partner for success. Parents need to share this information because language or social skills are often an area of weakness for students with neurodiversity. Thus, any help knowing about their child helps educators help them."

How can I ensure my child is included in classroom activities and not isolated?

Brazeau discusses such matters at the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting between parents and teachers to ensure your child is included in classroom activities and is not isolated.

"Also, understanding what the child's same-age peers are doing is equally important," she explains. "The school team can explain to the parent what is developmentally appropriate, and the team can plan together so the child is supported, can build skills and has as many opportunities as possible."

How can I support my child in developing social communication skills and making friends?

Brazeau explains that providing opportunities for social interactions with same-age peers is very important. "Some students with neurodiversity do not feel comfortable in social situations, so scheduling them regularly is helpful," she says.

To support your child in developing social communication skills and making friends, Brazeau recommends, "Start with the child's preferred activity, model what to do, practice it at home before you go, make a social story, chunk out the event (before, during, after) so the child knows the sequence of events and follow through by going to the play date or social event. Reflecting on what went well and what the child could do differently next time can be helpful, too."

What strategies can I use to help my child manage transitions between activities at school?

Brazeau recommends simple steps to help your child manage transitions between school activities.

"You can provide your child with school tours, meet the bus driver and teachers, create a social story, talk about the upcoming change, share that school is a good place and ask the student for their input."

How can I establish a morning routine that helps my child start the day positively?

"Make a visual schedule for your child that includes what will happen when they wake up, get ready for school and get on the bus," suggests Brazeau. "Also, allow your child to have input on the schedule if applicable. Practice it as a family starting a week or so before school begins, so the first day of school isn't the first run-through."

What accommodations can the school provide to support my child's learning and contribute to helping children overall?

Schools have various ways to help neurodivergent students succeed, as Brazeau explains.

Every child is unique, so their needs are usually discussed in individual education plan (IEP) meetings," she says. "Some common support strategies include giving students extra time for assignments, providing agenda books for staying organized and using colour-coded folders for different subjects. Visual schedules and gentle reminders are also popular tools to help students stay on task."

FAQs

Are there any visual aids or tools that can help neurodivergent children understand facial expressions in a school setting?

To help neurodivergent children grasp facial expressions in a school context, Brazeau recommends tools like role-playing, modelling, pictures, games and mirrors.

What strategies can neurodivergent students use to communicate their needs regarding eye contact in the classroom?

Neurodivergent students often need models and prompts for successful communication, including eye contact, suggests Brazeau.

"Reminders to face the person they are speaking to are beneficial," she explains. "If the student doesn't feel comfortable looking another person 'in the eye,' then encourage them to look at a different part of the other person's face. Allowing students to practice this skill increases their familiarity and comfort."

What specific challenges do students with ADHD face in the classroom due to ADHD?

"Children with ADHD struggle with focus and attention to tasks, active listening and completing multi-step projects and homework assignments," says Brazeau. "Executive functioning is a major issue as well. Often, we also see students with ADHD experiencing adaptive struggles in friendships and peer relations."

What specific challenges does my child with autism face in the classroom due to ASD?

Children with autism have unique individual needs. Brazeau states, " Some common challenges include social-emotional difficulties, sensory sensitivities, processing and organizational challenges, communication difficulties, challenges with transitions and unplanned changes in their schedule or routine, and perseveration on preferred tasks or topics."

Experts:

• Kelley Brazeau, Reynoldsburg City Schools' Executive Director of Diverse Learners and Whole Child Supports