Public schools and organizations who have students with special needs are required to provide appropriate transportation for the individuals they serve. The term “special needs” can apply to a wide variety of differed abilities and behaviors, and thus proper training and constant communication are necessary.

This list is adapted from HeadStart, INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) Guidelines for Transportation of Students with Special Needs, and The Official Journal of  the American Academy Pediatrics.

It starts with the staff

Many schools have a transportation plan as part of the IEP. For parents, educators, and staff ensure that the plan is thoroughly examined, and no necessary information is omitted. If the needs of the individual change over the course of the year, the parent or educator has the right to call an IEP meeting at any time to modify it.

If service animals are part of the equation, be sure to communicate protocol with the service animals in all kinds of situations, including adverse weather and emergencies.

Training the staff to help transport kiddos with special needs is imperative to providing a safe, effective bus experience. Each member of the staff, driver included, should know the diagnosis and special needs that their passengers have. In addition, staff should be made aware of the behaviors that the special needs kiddos may display, as well as the needs of those passengers.

Learning and communicating the expectations of a passenger’s unique needs or behaviors will certainly contribute to the overall safety of the environment. Communicating the potential circumstances that may arise and how to de-escalate difficult situations based on the passenger’s behaviors, needs, and history are imperative to maintaining a safe environment.

If passengers have medical needs at the times of transportation, like distribution of medications or food that requires the use of medical equipment like a G-tube or injections, staff should be well-trained in administering. In addition, staff should be trained and prepared for emergency medical situations based on the needs of the passengers.

Appropriate equipment

Individuals with special needs may need additional supports or equipment for transportation. Make a list of that equipment and ensure that it is on the bus every day. Find an appropriate place to store the equipment.

For children with Autism or other special needs that are prone to elopement, or have difficulty remaining seated, it may be necessary to equip the bus with harnesses that help keep them safe.

This is where the EZ-ON Adjustable Zipper Vests for School Buses comes in handy. It is used to transport individuals of all sizes and ages, keeping them in a secure, comfortable, and upright position. It is dynamically tested and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

EZ-On Vests are a great way to ensure the safety of all passengers and do not restrict all of the mobility of the wearer. The vests are relatively affordable, easy to install, and can be customized to best fit the user.

For individuals with wheelchairs or other assistive mobility devices, ensure that the bus has the proper lift system for the kiddo to safely get on and off the bus. If there are unsecured items to the wheelchair or mobility aid, ensure that the items and accessories are secured before using the lift.

Calm Down Kits

The nature of buses and transportation can have a lot of stimulation. The sounds, sights, temperature, and proximity can be overstimulating for some passengers. Providing sensory kits for individuals with sensory sensitivities is an effective way of supporting their sensory needs, as well as potentially preventing meltdowns.

Try a squeeze kit! When the bus can be a difficult place for sensory over-stimulation, you can try to help them calm down with a squeeze toy. Featuring a handful of different ways to squeeze, crunch, squish and knead when calming and self-regulation is needed. All eight toys come in a drawstring bag, making it easy to keep in a bus.

If you have kiddos who prefer more tactile feedback rather than soft feedback, it might be a good idea to try out a tactile sensory kit. It can be a good way to decompress if stress arises, and it comes in its own drawstring bag for easy storage. As a bonus, the items inside the kit are difficult to break.

Riding on

With proper training and constant communication, the school bus can be an empowering environment for all passengers. Please be mindful of the rules and regulations of your school, transportation laws in your area, and the needs of the individual passengers to ensure the overall safety of transportation.