Ending the School Year Strong

‍Navigating the Last Days of School

The final bell of the school year can bring a mix of emotions,  from relief to regret to gratitude. For families of children with special needs, those feelings are often amplified.

Your child may have had a hard year — or perhaps it was wonderful. However the year played out, hopefully, over these last ten months, they also picked up new skills and connected with classmates, therapists, the world around them.

There may be new friendships you're celebrating, sadness over moving on from providers you've built warm relationships with, and unmet goals you're grieving.

Before the backpacks get shelved, here are some ways to help your child close the year feeling good about where they've been — and excited about where they're going 

Say Goodbye with Intention

Instead of letting the year slip away into summer, take a moment to acknowledge the people and places that made the year possible.

Say thanks

Verbal children can record a 20-second video or voice note of them saying thank you to their teacher or aide. 

Non-verbal kids can take a picture holding a colorful “thank you” sign or deliver a card they helped decorate. 

Gifts can also express the gratitude you feel, and you can involve your child in wrapping and delivering it.  Some ideas: 

• Personalized tote bag – a thoughtful pick for a therapist who carries supplies
• Quality water bottle – always appreciated by hardworking caregivers
• Home diffuser – a calming gift that enhances their home
• Gift card – a simple, flexible option that lets them choose

Capture the year

• Snapshot: Take a picture of your child doing something they worked hard on this year – next to an ABC wall they mastered, pumping on a swing, or with a piece of art they created. It’s a visual reminder of “I can do hard things.” 

• Legacy scrapbook: For children who struggle with the "out of sight, out of mind" nature of transitions, a small photo album can be an anchor. Include pictures of their teacher, their favorite therapist, and the school bus. Looking through it over the summer helps keep those positive associations alive.

Mark the ending

Transitions are easier when they’re clear. Give your child a physical way to signal the close of the school year.

• The final run: On the last day, if possible,  let your child do one activity you've chosen together as your way of closing the chapter, whether it’s a last chance to play on the playground or a final high-five with the security guard.
• The last-day keepsake: Snap a photo of your child holding a board with the essentials: their age, their teacher’s name, their "best memory," and one thing they learned. It’s a cute photo – and a way for your child to process their own growth.
• A letter to "Future Me": Sit down together and write a short letter to "Next Year Me." Include things like, "You were really brave when the fire alarm went off this year," or "Remember that Mrs. G helps you when you feel frustrated." Tuck it away to be opened on the first day of school in the fall.

Encouraging Wrap Up

Words matter, especially at the end of the year. Offering your child simple affirmations can help them end the year feeling good about themselves and ready for what's next.

Repeat an affirmation together at dinner, on the drive home, or right before bed.

Choose from one of these, or craft your own:

• "I’m brave enough to try hard things."
• "I grow a little more every single day, even when I can't see it."
• "I am exactly who I'm supposed to be."
• “I did awesome things this year.”

Parents, you also did a lot this year. Take the time to consider (and repeat) the perspective shifts you want to take with you.

A few worth holding onto:

• "I don't have to do this perfectly to do it with love."
• "Showing up, again and again, is enough — and I did it every day."
• “I’m the parent my child needs, always.”
• "The goals we didn't reach don't erase everything we did."
• "We moved forward this year — not always on paper, but in ways that count."

Setting Up Next Year’s Success

And when you're ready to look ahead, the best way to prepare for the upcoming year is to make sure what worked this year doesn't get lost in the handoff.

• Audit the Wins: Take an hour to organize this year's IEPs, progress reports, and work samples that capture what your child can do.
• The "What Works" Cheat Sheet: Create a simple, one-page bulleted list for next year’s teacher.
  
  • Modifications: "He does better with a visual timer."
  • Regulation: "When she starts to hum, she needs a break."
  • Interests: "If you talk about trains, you’ll have his full attention."
• The Smooth Handoff: Ask current teachers or therapists if they’d be willing to write a "pro tip" for the next person in their role. Often, the staff-to-staff connection provides insights that aren't captured in a formal evaluation.

You Showed Up All Year

Your child worked so hard this year. They learned to navigate a complex world, and every win is a massive achievement.

And as the parent, you worked hard too. You were the advocate, the translator, the steady hand. Whether this year was a triumph or a series of "let's just get through it" days, you showed up.

Whatever this summer holds, you'll be building on the work you’ve done all year.