Bridging the GapSupporting Students with School to

School Transition

Raeanne Adams

Autism Consultant

English Language School Board, PEI

rmadams@edu.pe.ca

Incoming Students

Grade to Grade

Exiting Students School to School

Transition “To change from one form, state, style or place to another.”

CcChange and Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Increase in requests to stay an additional year.

• Parents were expressing anxiety about changing schools.

• Some students were experiencing an increase in anxiety and behaviors in the spring because they did not want to leave the school.

• The typical visits that all students do to the Junior High or High School were not enough for students with ASD.

• The focus was mostly on the building and how to get around not necessarily the staff personnel & the school community.

Observations

• If they did go on additional visits, it typically was an Educational Assistant ( EA) who took them and as a result they would meet other EA’s and not necessarily specific staff.

• Most of the information was auditory and as a result the students could not retain the information and sometimes became overwhelmed.

• Staff who knew the student well were also anxious and struggling with how to prepare the student for the transition.

• Students needed to be an active part of the process.

Observations

To develop a tool to support students, schools and families that would support the school to school transitions.

To involve the students as active participants in the process.

To engage the staff from the receiving school in interacting with the student.

To provide an opportunity for the student to have a tangible, completed project from the process. They then could review this project as needed.

The Goal

FIRST VISITApril _____, 2015 Introduce yourself to the school administrative assistant (Secretary)

and explain that you are visiting the school.Take a walk around the school. During your walk make a list of all the different and unique things that are at_______. List things that are different from your school that you think your classmates would be interested in.Ask and write down what the bell schedule is at _______Before you leave, arrange an appointment to interview the Principal the next visit.

__(School Name)______PROJECT

Please note students can do some background research on the school they will be attending such as looking at the school website prior to visiting. *( Prepare Interview Questions for Principal prior to your next visit)

SECOND VISITApril _____, 2015 Visit the office to sign in and let them know you are visiting the school.

When it is time for your interview with the Principal complete your interview.Begin to take pictures of the school. Remember to NOT take pictures of other students unless you ask for permission. It is more important to have pictures of certain location in the school (ex: cafeteria gym, resource area).Before you leave make an appointment to meet with the Vice Principal on your next visit.

THIRD VISIT

April _____, 2015 Visit the office to sign in and let them know you are visiting the school.Complete your interview with the Vice Principal.Eat lunch in the cafeteria. Visit any other school classrooms you may frequently be in. Example: Resource Teachers RoomGet a copy of the cafeteria menu or write it down so you can share it with your class.

FINAL VISIT

May _____, 2015 Visit the office to sign in and let them know you are visiting the school.Finish taking pictures and getting your information.Have recess break or lunch in the cafeteria. Bring your information back to school and prepare a class presentation using your information and pictures.Present to your class and share project with family.