School Support Needs Questionnaire School Support Needs Questionnaire Dear Parents, Welcome to the School Support Needs Questionnaire. Before you begin, I want to assure you that this process is free from judgment and entirely focused on supporting your child's unique needs and strengths. This questionnaire is primarily intended for parents navigating the school system, but it can be a valuable resource for any parent of a neurodivergent child. Many times, parents struggle to articulate their child's needs to their school team. This questionnaire is designed to help you find the words your need to advocate more effectively. You'll start by exploring strengths. It's important to remember that every child has a unique set of strengths, and these might manifest differently for each individual. The strengths highlighted in this questionnaire are specifically related to classroom learning. However, if you find that you're not checking many boxes in this section, don't be concerned. Your child's strengths extend beyond the classroom, and this questionnaire is just one part of understanding their complete learning profile. At the end of the questionnaire, you have the option to enter your email to receive a PDF summary of your responses. JennPreviousNextIdentifying StrengthsThink of the strengths listed below as expectations of kids commonly held by schools. If you don't check any of these expectations, that's an indication your child likely needs a high level of support at school. It does not mean your child is short on strenghts!Personal and Self-Regulation Strengths: My child actively seeks out opportunities for self improvement. My child demonstrates resilience in the face of setbacks. My child has a natural ability to self-monitor behavior. My child displays adaptability in various environments. My child shows initiative in managing personal tasks and responsibilities. My child effectively manages time and deadlines. My child demonstrates self-advocacy skills. My child exhibits self-discipline in academic pursuits. My child easily transitions between different tasks. My child adheres to established routines. My child shows awareness of personal strengths and areas for growth. My child takes responsibility for personal belongings. My child actively participates in goal-setting activities. My child fosters positive habits in daily routines. My child effectively manages stress and frustration. My child has unique strengths that may not align with traditional norms.Social and Emotional Strengths: My child exhibits kindness and inclusivity towards peers. My child demonstrates adaptability in various social settings. My child forms meaningful connections with peers. My child has a strong sense of empathy towards others. My child effectively communicates feelings and emotions. My child shows interest in collaborating on group projects. My child participates actively in social activities. My child demonstrates leadership qualities among peers. My child easily establishes rapport with adults. My child exhibits patience and tolerance in group settings. My child fosters positive relationships with classmates. My child has a talent for diffusing tense situations through humor. My child expresses emotions with nuance and depth. My child recognizes and respects personal boundaries.Communication and Expressive Strengths: My child effectively uses technology or other tools for communication. My child excels in expressing complex ideas through creative projects. My child possesses a unique style of conveying emotions verbally. My child communicates thoughts clearly and concisely. My child enjoys participating in discussions on a wide range of topics. My child demonstrates proficiency in written communication. My child effectively conveys emotions through artistic expressions. My child easily adapts communication style to different audiences. My child enjoys sharing knowledge with others. My child engages in storytelling with enthusiasm. My child exhibits strong listening skills in conversations. My child shows an interest in learning and using new forms of communication. My child effectively uses nonverbal cues to express feelings. My child demonstrates an understanding of various communication mediums. My child values and seeks out opportunities for self-expression.Academic and Intellectual Strengths: My child excels in applying critical thinking to real-world scenarios. My child has a strong ability to connect seemingly unrelated concepts. My child enjoys exploring interdisciplinary subjects. My child demonstrates creativity in problem-solving. My child displays curiosity about topics beyond the standard curriculum. My child quickly grasps complex mathematical concepts. My child excels in analytical thinking and problem-solving. My child shows exceptional memory recall in academic contexts. My child has a keen interest in scientific exploration. My child exhibits proficiency in language arts and written expression. My child easily comprehends and applies abstract concepts. My child enjoys researching and delving deep into specific topics. My child excels in hands on and experiential learning. My child has a strong ability to synthesize information from various sources. My child displays a passion for a specific academic subject.PreviousNextIdentifying ChallengesThink of challenges as potential areas of growth for your child. The things on this list commonly become the source of IEP goals, accommodations, supports and/or instructional strategies. If you check a lot of items on this list, don't worry - that's very common and completely fine. Personal and Self-Regulation Challenges: My child may face difficulties in regulating sensory responses. My child encounters challenges in transitioning between different activities. My child may need extra support in managing personal tasks and responsibilities. My child may struggle with initiating and completing tasks independently. My child may struggle with regulating emotions during stressful situations. My child may need additional support in recognizing personal strengths. My child may need extra support in self advocacy skills. My child may need use of assistive technology for certain tasks. My child may struggle with transitions between activities. My child may need support in managing frustration. My child may face challenges in adapting to unexpected events.Social and Emotional Challenges: My child faces challenges in initiating and maintaining social interactions. My child may experience difficulty in understanding and expressing emotions. My child encounters challenges in handling unexpected changes in routine. My child faces difficulties in managing frustration and stress. My child may struggle with adapting to new social environments. My child may need extra support in understanding peer perspectives. My child may be easily drawn into peer conflicts. My child may struggle with sensory sensitivities affecting social interactions. My child experiences challenges in developing and maintaining friendships. My child may need additional support in understanding social dynamics. My child encounters difficulties in participating in group activities. My child may face challenges in self regulating emotions.Communication and Expressive Challenges: My child faces difficulties in articulating thoughts verbally. My child encounters challenges in adapting communication style to different contexts. My child may need additional support in using technology for communication. My child faces difficulties in initiating and sustaining conversations. My child may struggle with the mechanics of writing and spelling. My child encounters challenges in expressing emotions through verbal communication. My child faces difficulties in adjusting the volume and tone of their voice. My child may struggle with maintaining personal space during interactions. My child faces difficulties in understanding and using humor in communication. My child may struggle with understanding figurative language and idioms, often interpreting language literally. My child may face challenges initiating conversations or knowing when it's appropriate to start a discussion. Nonverbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, may be challenging for my child to interpret and use effectively.Academic and Intellectual Challenges: My child experiences challenges in sustaining attention during lessons. My child may struggle with organizing and initiating complex tasks. My child finds it challenging to follow multistep instructions independently. My child may face difficulties with time management during assignments. My child may need additional support in developing reading comprehension. My child encounters challenges in remembering and applying learned information. My child may struggle with adapting to changes in the academic routine. My child faces difficulties with fine motor skills in certain academic activities. My child experiences challenges in understanding abstract concepts. My child may need additional support in developing mathematical skills. My child encounters difficulties in processing information quickly. My child may face challenges in expressing ideas in writing. My child finds it challenging to transition smoothly between different subjects. My child experiences difficulties in organizing ideas for written assignments. My child may need extra support with specific academic subjects.PreviousNextSensory Needs & SensitivitiesCheck all that apply to your child.Auditory: My child may be sensitive to loud noises. My child may find background noises distracting. My child benefits from a quiet learning environment. My child may be sensitive to specific pitches or frequencies. My child enjoys soothing sounds or music. My child may need noisecanceling headphones in certain situations. My child is comfortable in environments with controlled noise levels. My child may have challenges filtering auditory stimuli. My child communicates discomfort with certain sounds. My child may need support in expressing auditory preferences.Visual: My child may be sensitive to bright lights. My child may find fluorescent lighting uncomfortable. My child benefits from natural or soft lighting. My child may be sensitive to specific visual stimuli (e.g., flickering lights). My child enjoys visually engaging learning materials. My child may prefer a visually organized learning space. My child benefits from visual schedules or timetables. My child may have challenges with visual processing. My child communicates discomfort with certain visual stimuli. My child may need support in expressing visual preferences.Tactile: My child may be sensitive to certain textures. My child may find certain clothing materials uncomfortable. My child enjoys specific tactile experiences. My child may have challenges with fine motor skills. My child benefits from fidget tools or sensory objects. My child is comfortable with specific tactile sensations. My child may need support in expressing tactile preferences. My child communicates discomfort with certain tactile stimuli. My child may be sensitive to temperature changes. My child may need sensory breaks to address tactile sensitivities.Olfactory and Gustatory: My child may be sensitive to strong smells. My child may have specific preferences or aversions to smells. My child enjoys or dislikes certain tastes. My child communicates discomfort with specific odours or tastes. My child may need support in expressing olfactory and gustatory preferences. My child benefits from a controlled odour environment. My child may require specific accommodations related to food preferences. My child enjoys or struggles with specific food textures. My child may need sensory breaks to address olfactory or gustatory sensitivities. My child communicates preferences or aversions through verbal or nonverbal cues.PreviousNextExecutive FunctioningCheck all that apply to your child.Time Management: My child may benefit from strategies to support time management skills. My child may struggle with estimating time for tasks and assignments. My child could use support in breaking down tasks into manageable steps. My child may need reminders for transitioning between activities. My child may require assistance in prioritizing tasks and activities.Organization: My child may need guidance in organizing school materials. My child may benefit from the use of tools like planners or organizers. My child may struggle with keeping track of assignments and deadlines. My child could use support in maintaining an organized workspace. My child may require assistance in developing routines for organization.Focus & Attention: My child may need strategies to improve focus and attention in class. My child may benefit from sensory-friendly strategies to enhance concentration. My child may struggle with distractions and may need strategies to manage them. My child could use support in sustaining attention during independent tasks. My child may require assistance in developing strategies for active listening.Planning and Initiating Tasks: My child may need guidance in planning and initiating school assignments. My child may benefit from breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps. My child may struggle with initiating tasks independently. My child could use support in developing strategies for starting assignments. My child may require assistance in creating a plan for long-term projects.Memory: My child may need strategies to improve memory recall in academic tasks. My child may benefit from mnemonic devices or memory aids. My child may struggle with remembering instructions or information. My child could use support in developing memory retention techniques. My child may require assistance in organizing and retrieving information from memory.Goal Setting: My child may need strategies for setting realistic academic and personal goals. My child may benefit from support in breaking down longterm goals into achievable steps. My child may struggle with maintaining focus on goals over time. My child could use assistance in tracking progress toward academic goals. My child may require guidance in adjusting goals based on evolving needs.Decision Making: My child may need support in developing decision-making skills in academic and social situations. My child may benefit from guidance in considering consequences before making decisions. My child may struggle with making choices independently. My child could use assistance in evaluating options and making informed decisions. My child may require strategies for problem-solving and decision-making in various contexts.Task Completion: My child may need strategies for completing tasks independently. My child may benefit from a structured approach to task completion. My child may struggle with initiating and finishing assignments. My child could use support in prioritizing tasks for timely completion. My child may require assistance in developing strategies for staying on track with assignments.Communication of Needs: My child may need support in effectively communicating their executive functioning needs. My child may benefit from using a communication system to express needs related to executive functioning. My child may struggle with self-advocacy in the context of executive functioning challenges. My child could use assistance in communicating with teachers and peers about their support needs. My child may require guidance in expressing their needs for accommodations related to executive functioning.PreviousNextStress ResponsesUnderstanding your child's stress responses is crucial for providing the right support. Below are common stressors that neurodivergent children might exhibit.Stress Responses: Excessive worry or fear about meeting expectations. Physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches. Withdrawing from social interactions or class participation. Limited verbal communication and responsiveness. Emotional outbursts, often involving crying or shouting. Difficulty regulating emotions in overwhelming situations. Avoiding specific tasks or situations perceived as challenging. Seeking isolation to minimize stress. Intense pressure to meet expectations perfectly. Fear of making mistakes leading to heightened stress Negative impact on self-worth and confidence. Feeling incapable or inferior due to unattainable expectations. Refusal to follow certain instructions or complete tasks. Clinging to familiar objects or routines for comfort. Finding comfort in behaviours or routines from a younger age. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep due to stress. Nightmares or night waking related to school-related anxieties. Manifestation of stress through physical symptoms. Complaints of feeling unwell, especially on school days. Strong resistance or refusal to attend school. Expressing a desire to stay home due to stress. Engaging in activities to escape reality. Using coping mechanisms like daydreaming or zoning out. Heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Decline in academic achievements due to stress. Inability to focus or concentrate on tasks.PreviousNextPDF SummaryI'll send you a confidential summary of the questionnaire personalized with your child's first name. This is a great resource for your advocacy toolkit!-JennYour First NameEmailChild's First Name Previous Get Your PDF Need Summary