
You are the expert on your child.
This page is here to offer tools and strategies to help you work alongside your child’s school team in supporting your autistic child’s learning and development.
In Chapter 8 of Uniquely Human, Dr. Prizant talks straight to parents, families, and caregivers — the real experts when it comes to their kids.
While professionals can offer helpful advice, no one knows your child like you do. One of the best ways to support your child is by working closely with their school team, as true partners.
Parents, alongside students and classroom teachers, form the core of the student support team. Principals, teachers, and students also play vital roles in student-specific planning. School clinicians provide services for school personnel and parents may become active members of a student’s support team.
Other school support team members, including but not limited to Elders, mental health professionals, and/or community resources personnel, may be called upon to participate in the planning process.
You are not “just” a parent - you are an essential partner in your child’s success.
Children thrive when home and school work together.
Parent insight + educator strategy = stronger support.
You bring deep knowledge. Educators bring resources. Together, we build solutions.
Kids who struggle to regulate their bodies often rely on strategies that don’t really work—and those behaviors can easily be mistaken for “bad behavior.”
But there’s usually something deeper going on underneath the surface.
If you’ve discovered something that helps your child stay calm, focus, or transition smoothly at home, don’t wait to share it. Even small strategies - like using countdown timers or visual cues - can be incredibly helpful for educators trying to create a predictable and supportive environment.
The way we talk about our children influences how others perceive and respond to them. Instead of saying “He’s hard to manage,” try “He thrives when there’s a clear routine.” Framing your child through a lens of capability and potential opens the door to more constructive collaboration.
Consistent, respectful communication builds a foundation of trust. Whether it's a daily communication notebook, a biweekly email update, or scheduled meetings, regular touchpoints reduce miscommunication and help everyone stay aligned on what’s working and what needs adjusting.
Click the links below for examples of a Communication Book, Regulation Plan, and Survey for Parents.
Ask your child’s teacher:
When your child experiences the same signals, tools, or approaches across environments, they feel safer and more in control. If you use a “first-then” board or a transition song at home, ask the school if they can implement the same strategy. It helps reduce anxiety and improves predictability.
If you say “It’s okay to feel big feelings” at home, suggest using that same phrase at school. Shared language helps your child generalize emotional regulation skills and minimizes confusion. Reinforcement systems (e.g., token boards or reward charts) also work better when they’re consistent.
What helps your child regulate at home? A quiet space after school? Squeezing a squish ball while listening to music? Share these insights with school staff - they might be able to adapt or replicate them to create similar comfort at school.
Transitions (e.g., ending recess, starting math) can be stressful. If your child uses a 5-minute countdown and visuals at home, you can suggest the same plan at school. When both environments respond similarly to your child’s needs, trust is reinforced - and progress is more likely to follow.

Beyond Non-Compliance:
The Many Meanings of NO
With Barry and Dave

Autism: A Blessing?? A Tragedy??
A discussion with Barry and Dave
Whether you're a parent seeking educational support, a school administrator looking to strengthen your school team to better program for autistic students, or a fellow professional interested in discussing best practices, I welcome the opportunity to connect. Please feel free to reach out via phone, email, or through the contact form on my website. I'm committed to responsive and transparent communication, and look forward to discussing how I can be of assistance.
Coordinator of Student Services
St. James Assiniboia School Division
Email: rute.mendes@sjasd.ca
(204) 885-1334 ext # 2381
(204) 894-9321
Please scan the QR code to complete the form and get in touch.

Supporting Your Autistic Child at School: Resources for Parents