We’ve all had the days when we get up late, can’t find the car keys, spill coffee after slamming on the brakes for the car in front of us and wind up 15 minutes late to work stressed out.

That’s every day for a kid with sensory issues.

Add changing schools or classes to that, and you have a perfect recipe for disaster.

My son Colton has Asperger’s Syndrome, and after about a few thousand incidents, I learned a few tricks that can help you make school a lot easier for the entire family.

Changing classes/schools can be one of the most difficult tasks a special needs child has to do.

Navigating noisy crowded hallways while juggling a backpack, finding the classroom, finding a desk and coping with each classroom’s idiosyncrasies can be simplified with a visual map.

The first step to creating one is to contact your child’s school and arrange to pick up his/her schedule a few days before the start of school. Have your child walk their entire schedule while the halls are empty.

Once you have walked the entire schedule, discuss alternate routes the student could take that may be quicker, less crowded or more comfortable for your student.

If you are unfamiliar with the school, principals, counselors and teachers can help you with this process.

Once you have determined the route your student will take each day, begin taking pictures. Take a picture of your child entering the building from the drop off point of your car or the bus area, whichever is applicable.

Then take pictures of him/her making his/her way through the halls to each class in order.

It’s important to take pictures at points where decisions must be made to go right, left etc. Try to use markers such as clocks, paintings or other things that will not change throughout the year so the student knows at that point which way he/she should go.

In the classroom, have your child find his/her seat if assigned by the teacher. If not assigned, try to select a seat farthest from distractions such as the air conditioner, window or door.

Often, a seat at the front is helpful so the student doesn’t have to take in all the auditory and visual stimuli of what is in front of him/her.

Teachers want students to be successful so even if seats are assigned, they are generally open to rearrangement to accommodate a special needs child, so be sure to ask.

Print all of the pictures, laminate them, hole punch a corner and put them on an expandable key ring. The plastic coil type works well.

When attached to the backpack, the student simply pulls the cards around and flips through them while transferring between classes.

Looking at the pictures allows the student to see themselves successfully making their way from class to class. That simple boost of confidence on the first day sets your student and you up for success all year long.

For more go to www.joanzone.com.