Back-to-School Checklist for Special Needs Families
A 10-step back-to-school checklist for parents of children with special needs or medical complexities.
As summer break quickly passes, it soon becomes time to begin shopping for the upcoming school year. Planning ahead is essential, particularly when caring for a child with special needs or medical complexities. This checklist will assist in making sure everything is prepared before school starts.
Download the school and district calendar directly from their website.
Familiarize yourself with important dates, including days off and modified schedules, so you can plan appointments accordingly.
Obtain the school bell schedule.
This step is essential for scheduling appointments around the school timetable; I recommend planning them during recess or lunch breaks to avoid disrupting class instruction.
Email or fax any paperwork that requires your child’s physician's signature.
This paperwork includes health forms, medical authorization forms, home hospital forms, and allergy notifications.
Order adapted school supplies and items for your child in advance.
This can include noise-canceling headphones, adaptive paper, sensory items, etc.
Request additional medication for school use.
This will require extra paperwork, so allow sufficient time for your physician and pharmacy to process it before the school year starts.
Notify the IEP team or school nurse immediately about any changes in your child's medical history.
If there are any health conditions or new diagnoses that emerged over the summer that could affect your child's academics, inform the IEP team right away and send the necessary paperwork to the district nurse.
Transition from summer therapies and activities to a school-centered schedule.
If your child is receiving therapies, treatments, or ABA over the summer, adjust the schedule to align with school timings.
Designate an emergency contact for your child.
If updating or modifying this contact, ensure they are comfortable with the role and are informed of any changes.
Help your child become comfortable with a new campus if they are changing schools.
If possible, download the campus map from the school’s website. On school orientation day or open house, take extra time to walk your child around the campus so they can familiarize themselves before the first day. Transitioning can be challenging for some children, making this preparation essential.
Transportation logistics.
Plan the transportation methods for school pick-ups and drop-offs in advance. If a school bus is needed, request transportation early; if carpooling is an option, coordinate with other parents ahead of time.
