Dealing with BIG MOVES

By Angela Gartner | Photography by Elaine Eisner

For any child, whether it’s moving to a new house or changing schools, it can be an emotional time. Some handle it better than others. For children who have special needs, there might be extra considerations to make those big transitions a little smoother for the child — and parent.

Alana Gohn, 14, of Solon, is making a big move this year, she and her family will live in a new house. Alana was diagnosed with microcephaly as an infant, which according to the Mayo Clinic, is a rare neurological condition in which an infant’s head is much smaller and occurs when there is a problem with brain development.

Her mom, Elaine Eisner, who had dealt with Alana’s transitions before, including her daughter aging out of elementary school, is a little worried, but has some plans to help Alana feel comfortable with the move.

“We want to make things as normal as possible,” Eisner says.

They decorated Alana’s room exactly the same as her old room. They also created a social story, which shows Alana pictures of her new room and house to help with understanding the move, since Alana is nonverbal.

Eisner suggested n2y (n2y. com), which is a social story or narrative provider that has other tools to help families.

“Kids with special needs, a lot of times don’t like the unexpected,” says Erin Hinkel, information specialist and trainer at Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (ocecd.org).

“They can see what is going to change and what is coming with a social story. It’s very helpful for transition(s)."

She suggests to do whatever that child needs to help with the change.

"Some kids are going to need pictures with very little words and for some, it’s all going to be words," she says. "It just depends on that child.

Keep showing that story over and over, just so they know something’s different, something’s coming, so it’s not a surprise.”

Hinkel provides these additional tips below for families that are moving or transitioning to a new school.

Tip #1

Keep Comfort Items Close

Make sure your child has something with them during the move that is important to them. She notes maybe it has their smell on it, like a teddy bear or something familiar from the old environment so (the transition) doesn’t feel as stressful.

Tip #2

Take Care of Yourself

Make sure you have friends or family that you can lean on for support. Hinkel adds so if you need a little break for yourself, you are going to get that break.

Tip #3

Structure is Important

Try to bring your routines with you, and get them up and running as soon as possible. "A lot of these kids really do need that structure to be able to function and not have as many (unwanted) behaviors," Hinkel notes.

Tip #4 Get Extra Support if Needed

Make sure everyone (whether at the school or therapy) knows what is happening. So if you or your child needs extra support during the transition, it’s there when you need it.

Tip #5 Take Them to the Neighborhood or School Playground

If you are moving to a new school, walk the route, play on the playground or walk around the school building before school starts. Talk to your child about the school and what they might see and where they might be. Some school administrators might let you walk through the building beforehand. If you are moving into a new home, explore the neighborhood with your child. Visit a local store or ice cream shop, etc nearby, Hinkel notes. Talk to your child about the neighborhood and show them the house, even if you can’t get inside the new place, just yet.

Tip #6

Invite Old Friends Over

To make your child feel comfortable about moving into a new home, invite their friends who are familiar with the old neighborhood to come to the new one, Hinkel notes. Your child might feel comfortable seeing familiar faces and ones who might also be excited to see the new neighborhood and yard.