Support the child's intellectual, social and emotional development in the classroom. Observe how he interacts with other children. If he is in a mainstream school, be particularly observant. Sometimes children who do not have a disability react very well to a classmate who does, and are caring and supportive, but this is not always the case. Confer with the child's family to determine if he talks about his school friends in a happy way.
Develop a mutually supportive relationship with the parents or guardians. Do not contact them only if there is a problem. Do not limit your conversations to parent conferences; speak with them regularly, in person or over the phone. Discuss the child's progress and any particular areas that need extra assistance. Listen to the parents' concerns. They may feel unsure or be unable to offer specific types of help. If this is the case, liaise with the support services in the school to set up additional support.
Familiarize yourself with the child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). Confer with experts if the child is struggling in a particular area, such as writing, or if he develops behavioral problems. This may sometimes happen because the child is out of his depth. The school psychologist or counselor may be able to offer special techniques, or suggest certain routines that his parents can also employ at home.