From One Parent to Another: Navigating the School Journey Together

By Jeanette Bellinger, Expansion Speech Therapy parent

Starting school can be exciting, scary, overwhelming, and fun for both children and parents. I remember my kids’ first day of kindergarten, feeling ready for them to grow and make friends. I still hear the woman telling me to let go of Kaden’s hand so he could go to class. Hearing Kaden cry and scream for me was incredibly hard to walk away from. 

Helping Kaden transition to his autism support classroom taught me how to advocate for him and support his needs. By sharing my experience, I hope to reassure other parents and remind them that you and school staff work as a team for your child’s success. 

Ask questions to understand your options. For example, what paperwork increases service times? What clearances must outside team members complete? Can we meet to revise plans or daily reports? Share what you’re working on at home. IEPs can address social and daily skills, not just therapies, helping your child grow with classmates.

If services change or are no longer needed, that’s okay. Share updates from home with teachers so the team can provide support during tough times. Participate when possible—volunteer, attend events, or help with fundraisers—to better understand the school’s environment and support your child.

Voice every concern, even small ones. Adding them to the care plan ensures nothing is missed as you work toward your child’s goals.  

Get involved in school events to discover what’s happening behind the scenes. 

Learn about your school’s programs and procedures. If you disagree with a service recommendation, learn your options and seek extra support—like advocates or educational lawyers—if needed. 

Write down three main goals for your child. Use them to guide teamwork and track progress. Rely on your community for support throughout this journey.