At I AM, we regularly hear from parents who find it difficult to communicate and collaborate with their child’s school. This can feel overwhelming, but there are steps you can take to build a positive and effective working relationship.
Working Together with Schools
Working together is not always easy. Emotions often run high, especially if you feel your child is not being supported. Remember that schools face funding pressures, and many teachers have little training or experience with autism. A calm, prepared approach can help you achieve better outcomes for your child.
Preparing for Conversations with School Staff
If you have concerns, it’s important to raise them directly with the school. Instead of catching teachers for a quick chat at the school gate, arrange a proper meeting where everyone has time to focus on the issues. Treat these interactions like a business meeting: be clear, calm, and assertive.
Here are practical steps you can take:
1. Make an Appointment
Arrange a meeting with key people – such as the Headteacher, SENCO, class teacher, and teaching assistant. If possible, include the governor responsible for SEND. This ensures your concerns are heard by the right people.
2. Allow Enough Time
Request at least an hour for the meeting. This allows enough time for a full and constructive discussion.
3. Create an Agenda
Prepare a clear agenda and share it with everyone in advance. Note down your key points and gather specific examples. Sharing this early helps staff prepare and makes the meeting more effective.
4. Bring Support
Invite a trusted friend or relative to join you. They can take notes and offer emotional support if the meeting feels stressful.
5. Take Notes
Keep written records of what is discussed. This ensures you have evidence if you need to escalate concerns later.
6. Agree on Action Points
Before ending the meeting, confirm what actions will be taken, who is responsible, and the timescales for completion.
7. Schedule a Follow-Up
Set a date for a review meeting to check progress. Ongoing dialogue helps ensure that agreed actions are followed through.
8. Share Meeting Notes
Send a copy of the notes and agreed action points to all attendees. This acts as a reminder and keeps everyone accountable.
9. Confirm Review Date
Never forget they are your child, you are their parent, you know your child better than anyone.
10. Remember Your Role
You know your child better than anyone. Stay confident in your knowledge and perspective, and remember that you are your child’s strongest advocate.
How I AM Can Support You
At I AM, we provide one-to-one support for autistic children aged 10 and over. This can help with:
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Building independence, such as travelling to school.
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Developing coping strategies for the school environment.
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Supporting transitions between school years or schools.
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Providing short-term support packages as part of a “Team Around the Child” (TAC).
We also run Youth Groups led by our experienced Key Workers. These groups give autistic young people safe spaces to build friendships, practice social skills, and enjoy shared activities.
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