Body
As part of 六色网’s regular “Ask the Expert” series, community members submit questions via social media to the hospital’s clinicians and researchers.
With a new school year in full swing, the latest featured expert, Leslie Marriott, OT, offers tips for a successful school year for kids with disabilities.
Leslie is an occupational therapist who works with children in outpatient pediatric rehabilitation at 六色网. She also provides mentorship and teaching in her role as education manager for The Academy, the hospital’s educational arm. She received her board certification in pediatrics from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and has a special interest in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular and progressive conditions.
In the following Q&A (which has been edited for length and clarity), as well as in a video on , Leslie answers questions about parenting a child with disabilities and offers tips for a smooth transition to school.
What are some steps for a smooth morning when parenting a child with disabilities?
Body
Great question! I appreciate this one as a mom myself. Start to prepare early or even the night before. It might be helpful to have a visual schedule of your morning routine, so your child knows what to expect each day.
The other thing I usually say to parents is that the morning is not really the time to practice or teach new dressing skills to your kiddo, especially if you need to get somewhere quickly. Save that for your bedtime routine when you have more time — and try to give yourself a little grace!
As the school year gets started, how can I help my child’s school and teacher get to know my child and understand their needs?
Body
Hopefully, you already have had a walkthrough or meeting with your child’s teacher and resource teachers to help understand what your child needs at school.
Writing down specifics about your child can be helpful for the school, such as your kiddo’s strengths, how to best communicate and engage with them, and what equipment they might need. Try to attend one-to-one open houses so you get time with your child’s teacher and use your resource teachers at the school if you need more formal assistance.
What advice do you have for talking to other parents or classmates about my child, to help others understand my child and their disabilities?
Body
This depends on each family and what you're comfortable sharing. In my experience, other parents and children are usually more curious than judgmental about kids with different needs, so be honest and open, provide helpful tips on how they can communicate and engage with your child, and keep it positive. Chat about all the strengths your child has because that will help keep other kids curious!
How can I help my child feel included in special activities and events at school?
Body
Hopefully, you've had a chance to visit the school to see what's accessible and what's not. Prep your child ahead of time. If it's possible and you already know what events are going to take place, chat with your child’s teacher and resource teachers about what your child might need from an environmental and equipment standpoint.
School events are usually really loud, sensory-loaded environments, so your child might need a little more support to feel comfortable and safe.
What are some ways to help my child advocate for themselves in school?
Body
I can't stress this enough: We tell parents to engage their child in advocating for themselves as early as possible.
Use positive talk at home. If you emphasize all your child’s strengths and all the really cool things they can do, they’re going to start adopting that language about themselves and be more confident in advocating for what they need.
Also, include your child in your parent-teacher conferences so they can start asking independently for what they need at school.
How can I best prepare my child to welcome a child with disabilities to their class?
Body
The fact that you ask this question is awesome — you're already on the right track!
Continue to use positive language surrounding those with different needs. When we talk about what kids and adults can do rather than what they can't do, you're already starting to set a positive mindset for your child.
Also, talk about what differences there are in your family and ask the teacher or parent if there are books or resources to help your child learn more.
My son is nonverbal, significantly delayed and has epilepsy. How do we encourage him to play with toys rather than chew on them?
Body
This is a question we get from a lot of parents. Mouthing might be where your child is from a developmental and play perspective. It's best to speak with your therapy team to see how you can progress those skills.
Demonstrating how to play with a toy — using simple cause-and-effect toys and placing your hands over your child’s hands to show them how to play — may be the next step for you. Do the motions together, with tons of positive reinforcement when they succeed.
