Starting the school year strong helps students with disabilities feel confident, supported, and set up for success.

Use this checklist to guide your planning – from IEP reviews to creating a supportive home environment.

Download the checklist here.

 

Academic and Support Preparation

 

Review and update the IEP

• Carefully review your child’s current IEP, including goals, accommodations, related services, and behavior supports.
• Look for anything outdated, unclear, or no longer appropriate.
• Use recent school evaluations (including independent ones the school is considering, if applicable) to guide your review.
• Identify areas of need where your child may be struggling or underperforming. • Make a list of questions you have about your child’s plan (instruction, goals, accommodations, related services).
• If needed, schedule a meeting with the IEP team to make updates before school starts.

Create an “All About Me” or IEP Snapshot one-pager about your child.

A short, friendly overview to help teachers and staff get to know your child quickly. Information to include:

• A photo
• Strengths and talents
• Interests (a few things your child enjoys)
• Medical, allergy, or dietary needs
  Key accommodations, sensory supports, and behavior strategies that work for your child • Communication preferences or tips

Confirm staff has access to your child’s IEP

• Ask how paraprofessionals, related service providers, PE/music teachers, and transportation staff receive IEP or 504 Plan info.
• Request that your one-pager be shared with the full team (everyone who works with your child throughout their day).

Meet the school team

• If possible, schedule a school visit or virtual meet-and-greet before the first day.
• Connect with your child’s special education teacher, general education teachers, related service providers/therapists, and the school nurse.

Confirm accommodations are ready

• Check on sensory supports, assistive technology devices/apps, visual aids, calm-down areas, and de-escalation protocols.
• Ask whether behavior plans or health accommodations are set up.
• Confirm that staff has been trained on your child’s specific supports (academic, behavior, sensory, mental health/social-emotional, health-related, etc.).

Schedule a check-in meeting

• Set a date with the IEP team to meet within the first 4-6 weeks of school.
• Use this meeting to address new or emerging needs, and make sure the plan is being implemented.

 

Communication Systems

 

Establish a communication plan

• Decide how and how often you’ll communicate (email, phone, school app, notebook).
• Ask for the plan to be written into the IEP or 504 as an accommodation if needed.

Use a communication log

• Keep a digital or physical log of conversations with school staff.
• Note the date, who you spoke to, and a summary of what was discussed.
• Follow up with a confirmation email if needed.

Consider a daily checklist or tracker

Create a simple form for school staff to complete daily. For example:

• “Jake used his noise-canceling headphones: Yes/No”
• “Jake needed help with _____________”
• “Jake excelled at _____________”
• “Jake participated in small group time: Yes/No”

Stay informed

Join the school’s email list, check the parent portal, follow social media, attend PTA meetings, and participate in school events to stay in the loop.

 

Helping Your Child Prepare

 

Practice routines

• Start bedtime, wake-up, dressing, and meal routines at least a week early.
• Practice using an alarm or morning checklist.

Preview the school day

Use visual schedules, social stories, or photo books to help your child understand the school routine, classroom setup, and expectations.

Tour the school

• Walk through the building, find key areas (classroom, bathroom, cafeteria, nurse’s office).
• Introduce staff if possible.

Address anxieties

• Talk about how your child is feeling about the new school year.
• Reassure your child with positive language and coping strategies.
• Practice scenarios like meeting new teachers and classmates, or asking for help.

Promote self-advocacy

• Teach your child about their IEP or 504 Plan in age-appropriate ways.
• Help them practice how to ask for supports and express their needs.

Review transportation plans

• Go over pick-up/drop-off or bus routines.
• Introduce your child to the bus driver, if possible, and review safety procedures.
• Practice the bus route if it’s your child’s first time riding.
• Confirm transportation accommodations are in place and understood by drivers or aides.
• Create a backup transportation plan in case of emergencies.

Meet the school nurse

• Share medical or medication needs and healthcare plans.
• Confirm that allergies, seizures, and feeding plans are understood.

Gather supplies including IEP-related materials

• Check your school’s supply list, plus any specific requests from your child’s teacher(s).
• Add any specialized tools listed in the IEP: sensory items, fidgets, or organizational supports.

 

Organization and Records

 

 

Organize important documents

• Use a binder or digital folder to store:
• Contact info for teachers, related service providers/therapists, and administrators
• IEPs/504s, progress reports, evaluations
• Meeting notes and follow-up emails
• Copies of any outside evaluations or diagnoses

Create a home command center

• Set up a space for backpacks, lunchboxes, forms, and homework.
• Use labeled or color-coded bins or folders to stay organized.
• Declutter old school papers, supplies, and forms to make room for a fresh start.

Set up a study area

• Pick a quiet, consistent place for homework.
• Stock it with needed supplies to reduce distractions.

Hold a family meeting

• Discuss morning and after-school routines.
• Create a visual or written chart so everyone knows what’s expected and who’s responsible.
•  Plan your own routines – meals, drop-offs, appointments – to ease stress and stay ahead.

 

Encourage a Strong Start

 

Celebrate the first day!

Take a photo, write a note, or plan a small treat to mark the occasion.

Prepare thank you notes

A short note or small gesture can go a long way in building relationships with the school team.

Keep advocating!

• You are the expert on your child. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share concerns, or request changes.
• If something feels off, act early. Early action makes a big difference!
• Stay flexible – transitions take time.
• Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress.
• Celebrate the small wins. They help build momentum.

With preparation, collaboration, and a little celebration, you and your child can start the school year feeling ready, supported, and hopeful. You’ve got this!!!

Sources

WAVE (Parent Center in Washington): https://wapave.org/back-school-check-list/

Special Ed Resource: https://specialedresource.com/back-to-school-checklist-for-parents-of-special-needs kids#:~:text=%231%20Transportation,beginning%20of%20the%20school%20year

Expressable: https://www.expressable.com/learning-center/social-emotional-academic/7-ways-to-prepare-for school-when-your-child-has-special-needs

PTI Nebraska is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. Information received from PTI Nebraska is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for legal advice.

This document was developed under a grant from the US Dept. of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policies of this department, and the reader should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.