School Readiness

By Nicole Mtshali, Case Manager at the Star Academy

School readiness ensures that children have the best outcome when placed in a school setting. Balancing ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) with school involves ensuring that the skills learned in therapy are generalized to the school environment. This requires working closely with teachers and school staff to implement consistent strategies.

Another important factor is language development and ensuring that these skills are transferred to the teaching team. Children with strong language skills are less likely to experience frustration and behavioural issues, as they can better express their needs and understand instructions. Language skills are closely linked to academic success, being essential for reading, writing, and understanding classroom instructions.
It is crucial to consider which school will be beneficial and supportive for a child’s individual needs. Children learn social skills by observing and interacting with peers. If placed in a special needs school with peers facing similar challenges, they may not have the opportunity to model appropriate behaviour from typically developing peers.

School readiness involves a holistic approach that includes academic, social, and emotional preparation. This can be achieved through an individualized ABA program that specifically targets areas needing additional support.