Helping Your Child Make Academic Transitions
Life in Transition
March 3, 2021
College for the Student with ADHD or LD
March 17, 2021
When we speak of transitioning within an educational context, two schools of thought often come to mind...daily transitioning and academic transitioning. There is such a wealth of information on both versions that I could write for days on each topic. But for this week's purposes, I’d like to focus on academic transitions.
I have to admit, the subject of academic transitioning is weighing heavily on my mind at present. It won’t be long that my youngest will be making the big move from high school to “life”...in whatever that “life” embodies for her. And yes, I am feeling some anxiety right along with her. Is she ready for a post-secondary path, should she pursue a more focused specialized training in her interest areas, or should she start a job right out of high school? All of these are questions that will need answers very soon. Cue the anxiety!
This is also the time of year when many children will be making some type of change within their school structure. Regardless of what type of transition is occurring in your child's life - moving from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, high school to college/work, or simply just going back to school in person - it can be an anxiety producing time for both child and parent alike.
If we examine the true root of the anxiety, I think we many discover that what appears to be inflexible behavior is actually a fear of the unknown. So helping our child prepare in advance for those unknowns is vital to them finding success despite the transition. Some great advice I come across from Evolve Treatment Centers (and can be applied to all age groups, not just high schoolers) includes the following:
- Help your child develop realistic expectations. Expect that the changes will be hard and that it is okay to not to get everything right at the beginning.
- Identify a support system or person during this transition who you feel comfortable seeking advice or guidance from.
- Help your child understand that beginnings are always rough. It might take a few months to feel connected, to feel like you belong. Or even a year or two.
I have to admit, helping my daughter develop realistic expectations has been the single most difficult aspect of preparing her for any transitional phase she has encountered. When working with children who already have a low concept of their self-worth, it becomes a bit of a tightrope act between being realistic while also protecting their already damaged sense of self. The approach that I have found successful is delicately planting the seed to an idea and then allowing time for that seed to germinate and grow in her mind. Finding the patience to allow the time needed to emotionally prepare for change is invaluable.
Do you have a high school sophomore, junior or senior thinking about going to college? Are you unsure what to expect when your child goes to college? Do you have questions about what supports are available at the college level for your child with a learning disability? Join us on March 16th for an evening of answers. Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, and Springer School and Center will be providing an evening of information to students and families. Click HERE to register. Hope you can join us!
Blogger Lisa Bruns, M.Ed., Special Education, shares her expertise of students with learning disabilities. As a special educator, she has expert knowledge of interventions and accommodations that students may need to succeed in and out of the classroom. If you have questions, please contact Center Director Lisa Bruns at .
