First Steps - Communication with the School

I am frequently asked by parents and guardians how to get help for their sons and daughters in school. "Where do I even start?"

While every situation is different, there are a few things I would recommend to all families from the get-go. If you notice your child struggling, first talk to their teacher or counselor about what you are seeing. Ask them if they are seeing the same struggles and if so, ask what can be done to help your child. This is a broad answer, but the first step is always to start the conversation with the school. A partnership with the school is invaluable, and if a line of communication can be started early, so can intervention.

The second piece of advice I would give in almost every situation is to start an online or physical folder of your child's scores, important work samples, report cards and any information and communication about your concerns. This includes emails, report cards, RtI data and testing. Schools also keep records, but as you advocate for your child, having more information, over time will help guide you and the team. Start this file as early as possible.