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New School Year Checklist

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All contents of this resource were created for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, therapist, or other qualified health providers with any questions or concerns you may have.


Get your child with autism ready for an exceptional start to the new year! Download our FREE “About Me” student information form and use this guide as a new school year “checklist” with tips and ideas to set your child up for school success!

Review Your Child’s IEP

  • Is the IEP still appropriate? Does it need to be updated?
    • Check your IEP date and mark it on your calendar.
    • Schedule any meetings needed in the first month of school.

Contact Your Child’s Teacher(s)

  • Update the teacher with any new information from the summer.
  • Confirm that ALL of your child’s teachers know your child has an IEP and how to follow it.
  • Set up a time to visit the school before the first day back.
  • Ask the teacher(s) to send you pictures of themselves and their classroom(s).
    • Create a “back to school” book or other visual support for your child.
  • Save the teacher’s contact information in your phone and/or email.
  • If your child is on the GFCF diet, don’t forget to email or print a copy of The GFCF Diet at School: Information for Awesome Teachers to all teachers, aides, and therapists who will be working with your child.

Tell Teachers and Staff About Your Child

  • Create a student profile handout for teachers, therapists, and other school staff.
    • Use TACA’s “All About Me” template!

Get Your Child Ready

  • Transition bedtime and morning wake-up times to align with your school schedule.
  • Introduce school lunch items back into your meal rotation.
  • Use visual supports like a countdown calendar or “back to school” book to prepare your child for transitioning back to school.
  • Practice wearing non-preferred clothing items needed for school.
    • Shoes
    • Backpack
    • Jacket

Stay Positive!

As a parent, your child is always looking to you for guidance and direction about many things, including their feelings. For this reason, it’s important to keep a positive attitude about the new school year. Your outlook will influence how your child feels and may even help them regulate any anxiety they may be experiencing.

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