Is the End of the School Year a Moment for Reflection?

Photo of classroom with kids who may have autism or ADHD. Students are raising their hands.As the school year wraps up, many of us are taking a moment to breathe a sigh of relief. For some families, summer vacation brings a sense of freedom – no more anxious phone calls from school, no more IEP meetings or worrying about how things are going. It’s a time for families to reconnect, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the past year. How did the school year go? What worked, and what didn’t? Was it worth it?

If this resonates with you, the end of the school year can be the perfect time to take stock of what happened. Parenting a child with autism, ADHD or other neurodivergence comes with a lot of planning and organization, so a thoughtful reflection, done in a structured way, can help you better understand the ups and downs of the year. One helpful tool for this type of reflection is a business strategy called SWOT Analysis. It might sound technical, but it’s a simple process that can guide you in evaluating both the successes and challenges of the school year. Let’s break it down:

S = Strengths
W = Weaknesses
O = Opportunities
T = Threats

SWOT Analysis is commonly used by businesses to assess their performance and make informed decisions. But it’s also a powerful method for personal reflection. By applying this analysis to the school year, you can create a clear picture of what’s been working and where there’s room for improvement.

Strengths: Celebrate the Wins

Start with the positive! Reflect on the moments when your child thrived during the school year. Think about their growth, no matter how big or small. What strengths have they developed? These may not always be immediately obvious, but they can often be the key to addressing weaknesses later. A SWOT worksheet can guide you through identifying and celebrating your child’s strengths.

Weaknesses: Acknowledging Areas for Growth

While it may seem easy to focus on weaknesses, it’s important to approach them with a mindset of progress, not regret. Yes, if your child has an IEP or 504 plan, there may be areas that need improvement. Instead of dwelling on “what could’ve been,” focus on the specific challenges your child faced this year. Were there therapies or interventions that helped? What could be done differently in the future to support them more effectively?

Opportunities: Looking Ahead

This section can be the hardest to fill out, especially if the year felt like a constant struggle. But take a deep breath and reflect on any improvements or positive changes, no matter how small. Maybe you discovered a therapy or service that helped your child, or perhaps you saw a shift in the school’s approach. Look at the progress your child made and ask yourself what other opportunities could make a positive impact. Is there a service you haven’t yet pursued? Could a different teacher or a new school year bring fresh opportunities?

Threats: Identifying Challenges

I’m not a fan of calling them “threats” – I prefer to think of them as challenges. And for many families, there are extra challenges to consider. External stressors like family changes, moving, or personal losses can weigh heavily on both you and your child. These factors should also be part of your reflection. Acknowledging them helps you better understand what might be affecting your child’s experience, both in and out of school.

Using SWOT Analysis to Plan for the Future

The end of the school year is not just a time to count your blessings, but also to look ahead. By using the SWOT Analysis, you’ll be able to identify new strategies to support your child, understand their progress, and plan for a more successful year. You might discover new opportunities for growth or pinpoint specific areas to address in the future.

If you need support parenting your neurodivergent child, Thriving Spirit Counseling specializes in providing therapy for struggling parents to help you learn parenting strategies, manage the overwhelm, and learn how to take care of yourself.

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