For so many of our kids, ending the school year on a positive note is our primary goal following the 180 days of what may have felt like drudgery. Adding to this, for those kids who struggle with late work, and an endless stream of missing assignments, the end of the year has already taken place. Nevertheless, there are still assignments, classroom projects, and assessments on the calendar in the month ahead so I strongly make the following recommendation: Bring the instructional team together and create an “End of the Year Punchlist”; establishing the a list of “must dos” with specific deadline dates, basic requirements, and needed resources to get the job done on time.
Sure, you can feel it in the air, it’s almost summer, and kids with Executive Functioning challenges like organization, planning, and impulsivity, the vacation has already started. So it’s imperative to work with the teachers and staff and begin the process of prioritizing the tasks and assignments required to get out of the year with success. Here are a few guiding questions to review with the team:
1. What are the core basics that need to be completed to pass this year’s class?
2. Are there assignments and projects which can be modified in length or duration and at the same time demonstrate learning?
3. What may be the top priority assignments at this time?
4. What reinforcement systems can we employ to inspire this 11th hour push?
Like many kids on the spectrum, whether it be Autism , ADHD, or any other bandwidth of learning difference, the end of the school year presents a challenge. So a proactive perspective is always the best approach on the frontload rather than cleaning up a mess on the backend. If you are needing any support on this or any other special needs question or concern, give us a call. We are here for you!