When your child cannot easily explain their needs, preferences, or communication style, the people supporting them need more than a name and diagnosis.
The Getting to Know Me Backpack Information Sheet is a parent-completed resource that introduces your child as a whole person. Complete it, place a copy in your child’s backpack, and share it with teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, transportation staff, program staff, or other trusted adults who may support your child throughout the day.
Use this printable resource to share:
- Your child’s name, nickname, and basic information
- Their personality, interests, and favorite activities
- Strengths and things that come easily to them
- Challenges involving communication, feeding, learning, mobility, social interaction, energy, or behavior
- Important information about home, family, school, and community life
- Diagnoses you choose to share
- How your child communicates through words, signs, gestures, AAC, eye gaze, sounds, or other methods
- Strategies that help your child feel safe, calm, and comfortable
This information can be especially helpful at the beginning of a new school year, when your child changes classrooms, schools, transportation providers, or programs, or whenever someone new becomes part of their support team.
Your child is more than a diagnosis or a list of needs. This resource helps the people supporting them see their personality, recognize their strengths, understand how they communicate, and respond more appropriately when they need assistance.
Complete it. Place it in the backpack. Help the people supporting your child understand who they are and what they need.
Part of a more complete communication system
This information sheet is also included as an element of My Special Travel Companion Communication Log and Notebook, available in our store.
The complete notebook gives families a more comprehensive system for sharing daily information, documenting care, strengthening communication, and supporting accountability between home, school, transportation, and other programs.
Looking for the complete communication system? Explore My Special Travel Companion Communication Log and Notebook in our store.
You decide what personal information to include and share. This resource is provided for educational purposes.
