Growing Pains... 
Ways that the child can be helped when preparing
to attend secondary school
- Start from when you know the child is coming to your school. Prepare a plan of the school layout and give this to them so that during the summer break they are able to familiarise themselves with this.
- Visits. Arrange for the pupil to visit the school more than once and include in these visits, the lockers, cafeteria, support centres, library etc. Mark these clearly on their plan. Allow them time to refer to his plan so that they can make a visual connection. Ask if one of their parents can accompany them on their first visit. They will be more at ease in their company and may be more apt to ask questions.
- If possible allow the pupil to take photographs of the classrooms (and maybe the teachers) and stick these into the plan so that they can remind themselves of the location as well as what the room looks like. Again they can frequently jog their own memory, prior to their admission.
- Timetable. Allow the pupil several copies of their timetable. They can then stick a copy in their room, one in their bag and another by the door so that they should be able to jog their memory frequently and be prepared for the day ahead.
- Teachers. I cannot stress this enough. PLEASE ensure that ALL teachers are aware of the pupil's condition and how it affects them personally. Please ensure that all teaching staff that will deal with the pupil have been given adequate training/literature on this condition. This can be especially difficult with supply teachers, but it is essential should problems be averted.
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