For children, returning to school after a brain injury can be an extremely important milestone in their recovery process. But returning to school after a brain injury can be challenging. There are some things you can do as a parent to help your child ease back into the structure and demands of school.

Foster Open Communication with Your Child’s School

Your child’s teachers and school administrators might not be familiar with the effects brain injuries can have on student performance in school. Openly communicating with them about the changes your child has experienced, whether they are physical, developmental and/or emotional can make the transition easier for the school, and ultimately easier for your child.

Getting your Child the Support They Need

Many students returning to school after a brain injury need in-school support in order to adjust to the demands of school and the changes they have experienced as a result of the injury. Depending on the severity of the injury your child suffered, they may need assistance and support in the form of:

  • Classroom Aid – If your child is able to continue in a traditional classroom, but needs a little support with certain tasks or subjects, they may be able to get in-classroom support by way of a teacher’s aide, a special education teacher or other educational provider.
  • Resource Room – If your child needs more comprehensive help to keep up with their peers on a particular topic, they may be able to get placed in a resource room for that subject. This allows them to get more individualized assistance where needed, while remaining in the mainstream classroom for other subjects.
  • Self-Contained Classes – If your child needs more personalized attention across the board, they may be placed in a self-contained class. Self-contained classes are taught by special education teachers and the classes provide students with additional structure and routine.
  • Out–Of-District Placement – If your local schools cannot meet your child’s needs, an out-of-district placement may be necessary to get them the help and support they need.
Appropriate Testing and Individualized Education Plans

Often, in order to qualify for some of the resources above, your school district may require testing and/or the implementation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) before providing accommodations. Cooperating with the testing process can help to expedite the implementation of any requested accommodations.

If you are having difficulty getting your child the assistance you think they need, you may want to hire an attorney with experience handling special education law cases, particularly an attorney with experience helping students return to school after brain injuries. At The Ernst Law Group, we are happy to help you evaluate your choices and can make a referral, if appropriate. Call us today to learn how having an experienced attorney can ensure your child gets the support they need to make returning to school as easy as possible.