Preparing the School (Part 2)

Once you have found a school for your child, according to some of the recommendations mentioned in a previous article by Jessica, an initial ‘school team meeting’ is setup.

This meeting would include the class teacher, other teachers who may work with your child, parents, Supervisor and the shadows. During this meeting, the following areas will be discussed:

1) Share document on child – strengths, areas of concerns, current skills, behavior issues, toileting issues, eating issues, sensory issues and rewards that are helpful.

2) Discuss and decide Behavior Plans that are contextually appropriate in the school (both preventative and reactive).

3) Clarification of Roles of the Teacher, Supervisor, Shadows and Parents

4) Communication Procedure (whether it is a Homework Diary or Communication Book)

5) School’s stand on behavior management so the home team can prepare the child

6) Decision on how to communicate the child’s needs and shadow’s role to other teachers and other children without labelling or isolating our child.

7) Find out other school guidelines and housekeeping policies for shadows to note.

In addition, it is helpful for the school to have a presentation on autism and workshops on school shadowing so the school is well informed and prepared for your child as well as other children. EAP Malaysia conducts these presentations regularly in local schools and kindergartens. For more information, please contact us at 603 2094 0421 or via email at info@autismmalaysia.com.

Written by
Jochebed Isaacs
Director, EAP Malaysia