Starting school can be a major adjustment for any child, but it can be particularly overwhelming for a newly adopted child.

However, with the right support, your child can feel confident and prepared to thrive in their new school environment.

Here are eight tips to help you navigate the back-to-school transition smoothly.

1. Familiarize your child with the school early

Take your child to the school before the first day to look around and meet the teacher. This is especially important for children who have had lots of disruption in their lives and who find change and transitions hard.

2. Consider delaying entry to Kindergarten

If you think your child needs to spend more time attaching to you, or is immature for their age, consider delaying entry to Kindergarten.

3. Understand your child’s pace

Be realistic about your child’s abilities. Interruptions in attachment, early deprivations, cultural differences, and multiple moves can cause a child to act younger than they are. Your child may not be able to learn as fast other classmates.

4. Inform the school about your child’s background

If your child has a history of attachment difficulties, grief and loss, abuse, or other trauma, make sure that the school counsellor and teacher are aware and that they have information on how it impacts your child.

5. Ensure teachers are familiar with FASD

If your child has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), make sure that their teachers are familiar with FASD. If they are not, they may assume that your child is misbehaving when in fact they may be struggling because of FASD.

6. Advocate for your child’s needs

If you think your child needs services not normally provided in the regular classroom, you need to advocate for them. Do your research about provincial and district policies so you know your rights and options.

7. Explore IEP options for your child

Most students with special needs are entitled to an Individualized Education Program (IEP). IEPs document goals, adaptations, modifications, services, and achievement measures geared to your child’s needs and strengths.

8. Share any important documents with the school

If your child has special needs or designations that have already been identified, bring all available medical records, psychoeducational assessments, and IEPs to the school when you register. Ask at the school office if you need to do anything to make sure the information gets to the right people.