HARTFORD, Conn. — Tommy Healy is spending his summer learning to ride a bike with the Miracle League of Connecticut.
“When you see those moments, it just fills your heart,” said his dad, Ryan Healy.
Kimberly Walton’s son Mason is part of the program, too.
“Beyond my dreams, we’ve been trying to teach Mason to ride a bike for a long time,” she said.
Both boys have autism, and for them, learning new things or changing their routines can come with big challenges.
“When you see the progress, you hold onto it. You get excited, you hold onto it, because you don’t know what steps he’s going to take, it’s a mystery,” said Healy.
With summer winding down, these parents are feeling all the emotions.
“Victory is him getting up excited to get on the bus to go see his friends,” added Healy.
Mason’s mom says getting back into the rhythm of school can make him anxious.
“What makes you nervous as a mom?” asked FOX61’s Keith McGilvery. “Making new friends, making sure he is not isolating himself,” said Walton.
Meg Palmer is a special education teacher and coach whose team of educators and psychologists is helping parents and students find success with back to school with their company Success Over Stress.
“I think for all students on IEPs (Individualized Education Program), all students with disabilities, we want them to feel like school is a good place for them to be, that they want to go to school,” said Palmer.
Palmer said when it comes to a successful start to the school year, knowing your morning routine is key, and that families can practice everything from packing backpacks to morning drop-off. Palmer is a mom of two. She says parents should also look at each child individually, what might make one kid nervous could be a breeze for another, and the same morning routine could mean different wake-up times depending on how they operate before school.
“I would say you have to rehearse it, you have to get into that routine and you have to repeat it, don’t start the first day of school,” she said.
Palmer also said parents shouldn’t be shy about advocating for their kids and communicating with their child’s team at school.
“As long as you are coming at it from a collaborative point of view, that you are a team that you are using consistent language, I think that works out for everyone and if you have any questions, ask those,” she said.
Tommy’s and Mason’s parents agree.
“You know your child better than anyone, so just be that voice for them,” said Walton.
And remember as much as you plan, practice, and communicate, staying flexible with a student who has special needs may help you the most.
“Take a deep breath, every day is going to be different, just when you get on a routine, something can change,” said Healy.
Keith McGilvery is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at kmcgilvery@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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