As thousands of children prepare to enter school classrooms for the very first time this fall, many parents are also entering an emotional season of uncertainty – especially parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism or other developmental, behavioral, communication, or social challenges. 

Research says that 15% of students in the state of Michigan are on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong brain-based developmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, learns, and behaves. It is called a “spectrum” because symptoms and their severity vary widely from person to person. 

According to Autism Speaks, African American children have a higher prevalence of autism than white children (3.7 compared to 2.7). Our children also are more likely to be diagnosed later than white children with Black children being diagnosed over three years after their parents first express concerns about their child’s development to their pediatrician.  

“Many parents feel overwhelmed, afraid, or even guilty when they notice their child may be developing differently,” says Dr. Natasha Weems is a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, autism advocate, and founder of the Pearl Health Foundation. “The most important thing parents can understand is that early awareness and early intervention can make a life-changing difference for a child’s future academically, emotionally, and socially.” 

Through healthcare advocacy, community outreach, wellness initiatives, and media engagement, Dr. Weems works to increase awareness surrounding autism, mental health, family wellness, and healthcare disparities impacting underserved communities.  

Once a child is diagnosed, and depending on where they are on the spectrum, they will need support from education partners.  

Detroit Public Schools Community District Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs provide individualized services, specialized instruction, and therapeutic supports designed to meet students’ unique learning, developmental, and health needs—while honoring family voice and student strengths. The district notes that “Our Exceptional Student Education (ESE) team works closely with families to ensure students with IEPs, 504 plans, and Gifted & Talented needs get the right support—so they can access strong academics, meaningful opportunities, and full school experiences.” 

Dr. Weems says parents should never be ashamed to ask questions, seek evaluations, or advocate for services that can help their child thrive. “Back-to-school season should not only be about backpacks and school supplies,” added Dr. Weems. “It should also be about emotional readiness, developmental wellness, mental health awareness, and making sure every child has the support they deserve to succeed.” 

The Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. They help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.  

Prior to the start of a new school year, the Alliance hosts webinars to help parents prepare. This year’s sessions included preparing a student snapshot that shares your child’s interests, strengths, and needs with their IEP team and other staff who support them. Other workshops focused on building effective communication skills with real-life scenarios and practical strategies, exploring ways to organize, calm nerves, get excited, and set expectations, as well as tips and tricks to make your life and school day more manageable and set up for success. The organization also has parent mentors who can help you navigate the system, but they can also help you be more involved in your child’s education.  

Dr. Weems says, “I also encourage families to tour the campus, identifying the classrooms, so that familiarity will help, especially when the child is meeting the educators and the teachers, becoming familiar with their environment,” she adds, “that significantly reduces uncertainty. But, also remember that you understand your child the best. No one can tell you about your child better than you can.”  

She does add that is, however, always important for parents to share information, communication preferences, and sensory sensitivities. “What are the child’s triggers, and that also helps with building those strategies to help the student prepare for the success with the education, so with the IEP, that is a team that the principal, the teachers, the the you know it could be the gym teacher, all of the people that are involved in the educational plan sit for a meeting at the beginning of school year.”  

Finally, Dr. Weems notes that many of the tools that are important for neurodivergent kids are also important for all children. “You really can’t speak about autism without speaking about mental health because emotional triggers and dysregulation can affect us all.”  

She adds, “So it’s important to teach children to have an emotional vocabulary. You have to teach children to say, “Why are you frustrated? Are you feeling overwhelmed?’ Just practicing some of those words, because many times, they often don’t understand what the triggers are and why they are feeling the way that they’re feeling.”  

Many professionals advise having conversations with children before school starts about what their emotional challenges look like and how they can self-soothe. “It’s also good if teachers are familiar with deep breathing techniques, sensory tools, weighted blankets, all of those things, quiet spaces, all of that is really significant when you’re trying to manage behavioral concerns, even with children that are not on the spectrum.”  

For help or resources with your special needs child, visit the Michigan Alliance for Families website at: michiganallianceforfamilies.org/.