The first week of school can bring a lot of excitement—but also a lot of uncertainty. For children with autism, ADHD, sensory differences, developmental disabilities, or anyone who benefits from predictability, one of the most helpful things we can do this week is make the unfamiliar feel a little more familiar. This week, we’re focusing on preparing your child for what’s coming. That might mean: 🏫 Visiting the school or practicing the route 🎒 Packing the backpack together 👕 Choosing and laying out school clothes ⏰ Practicing the morning routine 📖 Reading a social story about the first day 📋 Reviewing a visual schedule 👋 Meeting the teacher or school staff, if possible 📝 Completing your My Child at a Glance sheet to send to school You don't need to do everything on the list. Even one or two practice experiences can make the first day feel more predictable. Remember: the goal isn't to test whether your child is "ready." It's to give them opportunities to see, practice, and become familiar with what's ahead. This Week's Resources inside the Classroom, you'll find: ✨ 30 Days Before School — Week 4: Prepare Your Child ✨ My Child at a Glance worksheet Head over to the Classroom to download this week's resources and get started! Then come back and tell us: What's ONE thing you're doing this week to help prepare your child for the first day? Your idea might be exactly what another family needs.

Packing a school lunch is one of those everyday routines that can become a great independence-building life skill. But instead of asking your child to remember everything that belongs in their lunch bag, try turning the kitchen into the visual support. Use a Number System. Start with one simple sheet of paper showing what needs to go into the lunch bag: PACK MY LUNCH CHECKLIST 1️⃣ Main: Sandwich, wrap, leftovers, etc. 2️⃣ Fruit or Veggie: Apple slices, grapes, carrots, cucumber, etc. 3️⃣ Snack: Pretzels, crackers, chips, granola bar, etc. 4️⃣ Drink: Water bottle, juice box, milk, etc. 5️⃣ Extra: Napkin, spoon, ice pack — whatever your child regularly needs. THEN put those same numbers in your kitchen. Grab some cheap baskets from the dollar store and nest them in your cabinet and fridge. Make sure to put the number on the basket. 🧺 Basket #1 MAIN 🧺 Basket #2 FRUIT or VEGGIE 🧺 Basket #3 SNACK 🧺 Basket #4 DRINK 🧺 Basket #5 SUPPLIES Now instead of saying: "Did you pack a snack? Where's your drink? Don't forget your napkin!" Your child has a system they can follow:1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → ZIP! Why I Like This Approach We're taking a task that requires memory, planning, organization and sequencing and moving some of that work into the environment. The goal isn't necessarily for your child to make a sandwich independently on Day 1. Start small by making the the sandwich or main already and have it wrapped in the basket. You can build to making them later on. Then they learn to make one choice. Then two. Then eventually they help prepare the food, too. Independence can be built in layers. And once your child understands the number system, you can use the same idea for packing a backpack, getting dressed, preparing for an activity or completing other household routines. 💡 Skool Challenge: Pick one lunch this weekend and practice the system when you're not rushing to get out the door. See how much of the routine your child can complete with the numbers instead of verbal reminders.

Today’s reset is simple: find one thing that is a treat JUST for you. Not for your child. Not for the house. Not something you need to get done. Something you choose simply because you would enjoy it. It doesn’t have to be expensive or take hours. ☕ Swing by your local coffee shop and order something you love. 📺 Find a TV show or movie you’ve been wanting to see. Even if you can’t watch it today, add it to your list and make a plan to watch it. 🧴 Pick up a face mask or another little self-care treat from Sephora, CVS or wherever you happen to be. 📚 Buy or download a book you’ve wanted to read. 🍰 Get the dessert. 🌸 Pick up flowers for yourself. When you’re caring for someone else, it can become very easy for every purchase, plan and free minute to revolve around another person. Today, I want you to choose one thing that is yours. Your Sunday Parent Reset challenge: What is your personal reward today? Share it below — and yes, small treats absolutely count.

We’re getting closer to the first day of school, and this week is all about helping your child’s school team get ready, too. Rather than waiting until the first day to explain what works, start gathering the most important information now — how your child communicates, what helps with transitions, bathroom or hygiene needs, sensory considerations, calming strategies and the supports that help them be successful. For many children with autism or other developmental disabilities, a prepared school team can make those first few weeks feel much more predictable and supported. This week’s checklist will help you decide what your child’s team needs to know, what information to share and what questions to ask before school begins. Remember: You don’t need to tell them everything. Focus on the information that will help your child feel understood, supported and ready to learn. For the full breakdown and printable guide, go into your classroom!

Good morning! Today, I want to challenge you to do something that can be surprisingly difficult: Give your child the opportunity to surprise you. As parents and caregivers, we often step in because we've done it hundreds—sometimes thousands—of times before. We know what's coming. We want to prevent frustration, avoid a mess, or simply keep the day moving. But sometimes, by helping too quickly, we accidentally take away a chance for learning. Today, pick one everyday task and pause before you help. Maybe it's: - Waiting to see if they can turn on the faucet. - Letting them pull up their own pants. - Giving them time to reach for the shampoo. - Seeing if they remember the next step on their visual schedule. - Waiting for them to answer before speaking for them. If they need help after a few moments, that's okay. Offer just enough support for them to be successful. Independence isn't built by never needing help. It's built by having opportunities to try. Today's goal isn't perfection—it's creating one opportunity for your child to practice. 🌱 Today's Affirmation I can step back without stepping away. Every opportunity to try helps my child build confidence and independence. ✅ Today's Action Choose one task today where you'll intentionally pause for five seconds before helping. At the end of the day, ask yourself: "Did my child do anything today that I almost didn't give them the chance to do?" You may be surprised by what they can accomplish when they're simply given the time to try.