Lufkin, Texas (East Texas News) – The start of the school year can be tough for students, and it can be even tougher if they are neurodivergent or have learning differences.
Teresa Colvin, a behavior specialist with the Lufkin Independent School District, works with students who need accommodations. These accommodations can help students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or any other condition that might prevent them from reaching their full academic potential.
“One of the challenges for our neurodivergent students is change, transitions, and the need for a schedule; therefore, to provide that, we must plan,” Colvin said.
Colvin explained that it is essential to create a plan ahead of time to help neurodivergent students stay on track, especially when self-motivation and sticking to routines can be more difficult.
“When it comes to behavioral, social, or emotional needs, the sooner we help develop skills in the student, the better the outcomes,” Colvin said.
Colvin recommends several steps to help students before the start of classes, and the main one is preparation and planning for their child.
She says it’s important to remind them of school rules, talk with them about what went well last year, what concerns them this year, and, above all, help them create a schedule that’s easy for them to follow and understand.
“Let me put this in a format my child can process and digest. It could be something like writing out what their new routine will be,” Colvin said.
Erin McBryde, another behavior specialist with the Lufkin Independent School District, noted that this can be done with visuals to help engage your child.
“Any kind of visual support you can provide—a storyboard—so at home we know they will do this, this, and this.”
And she reminds parents that patience and consistency are the key to connecting with their children.
“So it’s just routine, routine, routine and consistency.”
Both specialists recommend that parents maintain ongoing communication with their children’s teachers to ensure academic success.
If you think your child might need accommodations, they recommend reaching out to the teacher or contacting them directly.
