For some families, the first day of school is still ahead. For others, the new backpacks have already lost their shine and the back-to-school burnout, morning battles and after-school meltdowns have begun.
And sometimes, it’s the parents who are having the hardest time letting go.
Angelina Acevedo, Co-Founder and CEO of Path 2 Potential, works with children and families navigating behavioral, developmental and emotional challenges and says the beginning of the school year can reveal far more than whether a child likes their new teacher.
“The first few weeks of school don’t just shape academic success. They can tell us a tremendous amount about how a child handles change, communication, social interaction, independence and new expectations,” says Acevedo.
With families across the country at different stages of the back-to-school transition, Angelina is available to speak on several timely angles:
● THE FIRST-DAY READY CHECK – Forget the school supplies. Is your child emotionally ready? How parents can prepare children for separation, new routines, unfamiliar teachers and the anxiety of the first day.
● WHEN THE PARENT HAS MORE ANXIETY THAN THE CHILD- Children pick up on our emotions. How parental anxiety, hovering and difficulty letting go can unintentionally make the transition harder, and what parents can do differently.
● THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BURNOUT IS REAL-Why a child who seemed excited on day one may be exhausted, emotional or suddenly saying “I hate school” two weeks later, plus what after-school meltdowns can actually mean.
● IS IT ADJUSTMENT, OR SOMETHING MORE? – School can sometimes be the first highly structured social environment where developmental, communication, sensory or behavioral differences become more noticeable. What should parents and teachers pay attention to, and when is it worth speaking with a pediatrician or developmental specialist about an evaluation for autism or another developmental difference?
● THE FIRST 30 DAYS MATTER- The routines, parent-teacher communication and small interventions parents can establish now that can make the rest of the school year easier.
As a mom and Co-Founder and CEO of Path 2 Potential, a provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Angelina and her team help children with autism and developmental differences strengthen communication, social, behavioral and life skills while giving parents practical tools to support their children at home and at school.
Angelina can speak to any one of these topics individually or offer a broader Back-to-School Reality Check for Parents on what to expect, what to watch for and when to ask for additional support.