From The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents): Understanding What Special Ed Is & How It Can Help You by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S., copyright © 2017. This page may be reproduced for individual, classroom, or small group work only. For all other uses, contact Free Spirit Publishing Inc. at www.freespirit.com/permissions.

Quick and Helpful Hints (To Go!) When you need an easy way to remind yourself of some important tips and ideas, take a look at these quick and helpful hints. If you like, you can even carry them with you in a notebook, folder, or bag! Then you always have them handy.

Chapter 1: Everything Seems to Be Easier for My Friends• Knowing how you react to difficult situations can help you deal with them better.

• You don’t really know how other people study or learn. That’s why it’s better to focus on yourself, rather than focusing too much on others.

• Everyone needs help sometimes. It’s okay to ask for help and to accept it. In fact, it’s smart!

Chapter 2: What Extra Help Can Mean for You• Extra help is there to help you, not hurt you.

• You have the power to keep a positive attitude. You can use four useful tools to do this: using positive self-talk, finding ways to feel calm, talking it out, and believing in yourself.

• Being confident about getting extra help shows others you are okay with it. It also helps you learn better.

• Respectfully speaking up for yourself is the best way to let others know what you need, want, feel, and think.

Chapter 3: Figuring Out How Testing Can Help You• It’s okay to make mistakes. No one is perfect!

• Everyone learns a little differently. No learning style is the best.

• Testing is not meant to hurt you. Its goal is to help you. That is why adults who care about you have recommended it.

• Testing can help you and your teachers know more about you and how you learn best.

Chapter 4: You and Your Team• Special education is about getting the right support for you. You don’t have to figure

this out by yourself. You have a team to help support you and build up your skills.

• No one plan is right for all students who get special education. Every student has his or her own plan.

• You are an important part of your team, and your voice matters.

Chapter 5: Succeeding with Your Plan• Starting your new school plan can be a great step. But it may take some time to get

used to it.

• Getting the right help doesn’t mean getting easy work. It means getting work that will help you reach your goals.

From The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents): Understanding What Special Ed Is & How It Can Help You by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S., copyright © 2017. This page may be reproduced for individual, classroom, or small group work only. For all other uses, contact Free Spirit Publishing Inc. at www.freespirit.com/permissions.

• If you discover that you are missing something important while you’re in extra help, let the teachers know. They may be able to find a solution. But your teachers can’t help if they don’t know that there is a problem.

• Remember the ADS guidelines. How you Act, what you Do, and what you Say can show others that you are comfortable and confident with your new plan and with yourself.

Chapter 6: Focusing on Your Abilities• Life is less stressful when you can feel confident and positive, even when you face

challenges.

• Some of the ways that you can stay positive include being kind to yourself, remember-ing that no one is perfect, and being willing to work hard and keep trying when things are difficult.

• If you act more confident, you may start to feel more confident.

Chapter 7: Eight Important Ingredients for Success• Perseverance is usually good, but if you keep trying a strategy that doesn’t work, it’s

time to look for a new plan.

• Being organized may take extra time at first. But in the long run, it will actually save you time.

• Procrastinating won’t make challenges disappear. So it’s best to deal with responsibil- ities sooner, not later.

• Speak up if you aren’t sure how to do something. Be specific about what is confusing you so another person can help you.

• Feeling good about yourself, even if you don’t instantly understand how to do a task, can make learning much less stressful.

• Using positive self-talk is like having your best friend near you, reminding you to be kind to yourself and not to get down.

• Staying motivated can make completing a project or studying easier and more fun.

• Finding time to relax helps you stay calm and focused rather than stressed and overwhelmed.

Chapter 8: Thinking About the Future• Just because you have some challenges in school does not mean that you will have

fewer choices in life. Your future is full of opportunities.

• There is no one path to being successful. That’s good news!

• You don’t have to figure out your future path by yourself. You can turn to people at school and outside of school for guidance.

Quick and Helpful Hints (To Go!) (continued)