Back to school is here. To help you and your family, we have compiled a list of resources to help make the school year successful.
This collection of resources aims to support caregivers in transitioning their child to school by building routines for success and supporting positive communication with their child’s school team. See below for information and strategies for parents and caregivers of children at all stages in their school journey.
A Two-Part Webinar Miniseries for a Successful September Start
Join us as we relaunch one of our most popular presentations from last summer!
In this webinar, you can watch the presentation and learn from our subject matter expert speakers. Our speakers will be here live to answer your questions and provide additional insights into the topic. This webinar is appropriate for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. Register below to watch On-Demand!
- Part 1: Strategies to Prepare for School Routines
- Part 2: Strategies for Connecting with Your School Team
- Video - Back to School Webinar Mini-Series: Part 1: Strategies to Prepare for School Routines
See our PDF tip sheets below for simple strategies you can implement at home to help students of any age make the transition to school smooth.
- Video - Back to School Webinar Mini-Series: Part 2: Strategies for Connecting with Your School Team
See our PDF resources below designed for setting your child and their school team up for success. These resources aim to support caregivers in understanding what to expect in the first 60 days of school and how best to connect with your child’s school.
Back to school can be stressful. This activity book was created as a way for parents and kids to learn about and practice some mental health strategies that might be helpful for the school year.
Get started on the activity book here:
PDF: bit.ly/3QUPBa9
PDF with fillable sections: bit.ly/3E4DP5l
From Surviving to Thriving in High School
This toolkit from AIDE Canada offers ideas and tips that may be useful for youth in high school. It addresses topics such as: making the most of high school, independence and organization, and friendships, as well as other issues for teens such as smoking, vaping, drugs, alcohol, and making good decisions.
Teen Mental Health
Anxiety is the most common type of mental health concern in autistic teens. As a parent and caregiver, you provide support, encouragement, and your presence. This resource provides some strategies that can help.
Every child has the right to an appropriate education where they can prosper. Check out these tips to effectively voice your concerns and successfully advocate for your child:
- Determine indicators of success and long-term goals. Every child has the right to an appropriate education where they can prosper. Check out these tips to effectively voice your concerns and successfully advocate for your child:
- Focus on issues and identify preferred solutions. Be ready to negotiate!
- Don't place blame, but be persistent and listen carefully.
- Keep records of everything in writing.
- Develop a communication plan with the school.
- Create a file for your child, including assessments, speech and OT reports, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), past report cards, and medical consultations.
Learn more about school supports, including information on the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC), Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and read Autism Ontario's Position Statements on Education. We also have some fantastic learning resources related to autism, advocacy, and research.