The start of a new school year can be a difficult time for many children and young people, and for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (“SEND”), this transition can be particularly daunting. Understanding the challenge presented and implementing effective strategies to support children and young people with SEND can significantly improve this stressful time. This blog post looks at some common challenges associated with transitions and suggests ways parents/carers can make them easier:
Challenges:
New Environments: Moving to a new classroom, a new teacher and/or a new school can be overwhelming. The unfamiliarity of new surroundings, routines, and people can cause and/or exacerbate levels of anxiety and stress.
Social Adjustments: Forming new friendships and adapting to different social dynamics is often a particular source of difficulty, especially for children/young people who struggle with communication/social interactions.
Changes in Support Systems: Transitioning might mean a change in the support staff, or the type of support received; both of which disrupt consistency and can be unsettling.
Strategies
Preparation and Familiarisation: Familiarising your child or young person with their new environment can help to alleviate anxiety. You can do this through a visit to the new classroom/school and/or the use of transition books/objects and/or social stories. Many schools have INSET days at the start of each academic year, when the school is open but empty of students, which can be a great time to visit. This is particularly so as the summer holidays are long and transition visits at the end of the summer term may have been forgotten by September. It also provides an opportunity to meet with new teachers and support staff to discuss your child or young person's unique needs and strategies that work best for them.
Consistent Routines: If possible, try to keep some routines consistent, such as morning and bedtime routines, to provide a sense of stability; a port in a storm if you will. Visual schedules can also help your child/young person to understand and anticipate changes that are happening to their daily routine.
Emotional Support: Talk openly with your child or young person about their feelings regarding the transition. Validate their emotions and reassure them that it’s okay to feel anxious. If your child or young person is struggling significantly with the transition consider seeking support from professionals such as counsellors or therapists.
Preparation: Whenever possible, and it is not always possible, make transitions gradual. Better still, involve your child or young person in the planning process. Allow them to express their concerns and preferences, which increases feelings of control and in turn helps to reduce feelings of anxiety. Remember to celebrate small steps towards success and provide positive reinforcement to build confidence.
For many children and young people with SEND transitions will always be stressful, but the only constant in life is change and learning how to navigating transitions is an important skill. By understanding the challenges involved and implementing appropriate strategies, the process can be a smoother and more positive experience for your child or young person.
If your child or young person is approaching a transition in education and you would like advice and/or support on how best to navigate this, SEND Advocacy can help. To have someone in your corner to help you secure the education your child deserves, contact us today.
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