Your child is going to spend the majority of their young life in a school or classroom setting. Therefore, establishing the foundations of a nurturing environment are paramount. Raising a child with autism is a journey that’s as rewarding as it is challenging, and when it comes to education, it’s not something you should have to navigate alone. Monarch House can help you put together Individualized Education Plans and bridge the gap between child, parents, teacher, and therapist. It’s important to build a strong relationship early on. Teachers and school staff are going to be a huge component of your child’s life, and working together can make all the difference. At the end of the day, collaboration is about creating an environment where your child can thrive, learn, and grow to their fullest potential.

Here are ten ways to make collaborating with teachers and school staff effective, meaningful, and impactful for children with autism Burlington. 

1. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

At the beginning of the semester, be sure to get the email addresses and phone numbers of your child’s teachers, principals, and student support workers. You are going to want to be in ongoing, casual contact with these people throughout the year. Good communication is like a lifeline between home and school. Whether it’s a quick email, a message in a communication app, or a friendly chat at drop-off, staying in touch ensures everyone is in sync. Regular updates help the school address your child’s needs in real time.

2. Foster Respect and Trust

At Monarch House, we truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child with autism. We all need to work together as a team. You and the school’s teachers and SSAs are all on the same side, working toward the same goal: your child’s success. We want to help you bridge that gap as best we can through therapy and resources at our centre. Start with mutual respect. Acknowledge the teacher’s experience while sharing your insights as the expert on your child. When everyone’s voice is valued, it sets the stage for great teamwork.

3. Share Your Insights About Your Child

Put together some materials for your child’s teachers and SSAs to learn more about your child and their individual needs. You know your child better than anyone. Create a document or pamphlet to share their strengths, triggers, and the strategies that work at home. At Monarch House, we can help you put together your list. For example, if a visual schedule helps your child feel more secure, let the teacher know. These little details can be game-changers in the classroom.

4. Be an Active Participant in the IEP Process

No two children with autism are alike. For this reason, each child needs a custom tailored education plan that suits their particular learning style. At Monarch House, we help parents and educators prepare these documents in the form of an IEP. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is like a map for your child’s educational journey. Dive into the process, attend meetings, and speak up about goals or accommodations that matter. Your involvement ensures the plan is tailored to your child’s unique needs.

5. Get to Know School Policies and Resources

As much as you can, be an active member in your school’s parent-teacher associations and advisory boards. Get to know the processes and expectations of your school. Knowledge is power. You can familiarize yourself with school policies on special education, inclusion, and support services. Ask about resources like sensory rooms, occupational therapy, or specialized staff. Knowing what’s available helps you advocate effectively.

6. Advocate, but Stay Collaborative

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. When it comes to standing up for your rights as a parent of a child with autism, being a shrinking violet in the corner will only get you overlooked. So don’t be shy. Advocating for your child doesn’t mean being adversarial. If disagreements arise, approach them calmly and with a focus on problem-solving. Teachers want what’s best for your child too, and working together will get you there faster.

7. Provide Tools and Suggestions

At Monarch House, we have plenty of communication aids, headphones, sunglasses, toys and blankets, and tools that can be used for emotional regulation and sensory overload. We’re sure that you have plenty of items at home as well. Sometimes, a small tool, like an AAC assistive device, can make a big difference. Together, we can share resources that work for your child, like social stories, sensory toys, or calming techniques. Teachers often appreciate practical solutions they can implement in the classroom.

8. Educate About Autism

Embrace the opportunity to educate your children’s teachers and school staff about autism. Let them know some tips on how to handle an autistic child, and help them temper their expectations of how a classroom will look with your child’s special needs integrated into the lesson planning.  Not every teacher is an autism expert, and that’s okay. Offer to share articles, invite them to a workshop at Monarch House, or provide quick tips that help them better understand your child’s needs. Education empowers everyone involved.

9. Create Consistency Between Home and School

Make sure that your child’s teachers and support staff know that routine is going to be a big part of an effective teaching process. Steady, predictable consistency is key for children with autism. So help your child’s teachers build productive rituals they can incorporate into the day. At Monarch House, we can help you with strategist to work with teachers to build useful communication techniques, design ways to align routines, and establish behaviour strategies across various educational settings. When home and school are in sync, your child benefits from a sense of stability.

10. Celebrate Every Milestone

A hug, a high five, a word or praise, or even a special trip planned for good behaviour can go a long way as an effective teaching strategy for a child with autism. Every win, no matter how small, is worth celebrating. Whether it’s your child mastering a new skill or making a new friend, take the time to acknowledge it. Share your gratitude with teachers too—it strengthens your partnership and keeps everyone motivated.

You’re building a long-term partnership here. Working with teachers and school staff is all about teamwork. At Monarch House we have an interdisciplinary staff of behavioural therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychotherapists to help ease your child into an educational setting. Parents and caregivers help to bring the love and understanding of your child. The teachers and support staff at the school bring the educational expertise. Having all groups work together, we can create a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where any child with autism Burlington can shine.

Remember: you’re not just advocating for your child’s present—you’re helping to shape their future. And with a strong, collaborative partnership, that future looks brighter than ever.