School Transitions

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

What is it?

Times of transition can be particularly challenging for students with acquired brain injury. Educational transitions may include;

• Returning to school after hospitalisation.
• Starting school.
• Changing schools.
• Moving from Primary School to High School.
• The yearly transitions between grades.
• Finishing school.

What Can Be Done to Help Make Educational Transitions Easier?

It is important that in times of transition, families, school and hospital staff liaise closely to ensure that the needs of the child/young person with an acquired brain injury are met. This may involve:

• Preparation by the school and hospital before the student commences or returns. This may include: sharing information about the student's capabilities and areas of weakness, arranging for physical adaptations to be made to the school if necessary and planning for academic support as needed.
• Continual sharing of information between families and school staff as the student moves through the school grades. It will be important to nominate a `school contact person' each year to assist with this.
• Having school case conferences before and during times of transition where all people involved in the care of the student can meet to discuss the student's needs.
• Planning for times of transition - think ahead!

For further information on ways to assist during times of transition, please also refer to the information sheet Returning to school.

Starting High School

Starting High School can be a challenging time for many students. For a student with an acquired brain injury, starting High School can be even more challenging due to the nature of High School where students are usually required to become more independent with their learning and organisational skills. Students now need to use a school diary, use a school timetable, develop note taking and study skills and may be taught by up to ten different teachers (who may have different teaching styles). All this whilst the student is facing the challenges of adolescence!

The High School Transition Group

The Brain Injury Service at The Children's Hospital at Westmead recognises that the transition between primary school to high school requires preparation and intervention. To assist students with this transition, the Brain Injury Service developed a group program in 1994 known as The High School Transition Group. Each year, students who are leaving Primary School and entering mainstream High School are invited to attend the group. Usually there are up to eight students in the group and two staff members. Three sessions are held during the October and January school holidays, with a reunion at the end of Term 1, Year 7. During the group sessions, students practise skills such as using a diary, using abbreviations to take notes and how to deal with social issues (such as teasing or bullying).

Leaving School

The transition from school to the next stage (further study/employment etc) should be planned for as early as possible. Students may be completing their final school studies via a number of methods (such as full academic program, Life Skills, Pathways or part-time school attendance and part-time TAFE attendance). It will be important that the student, his/her family and the school personnel liase with services such as TAFE, CRS and assisted employment agencies.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/