2) Searching
~Why did this happen?, What does this all mean?, Is there a fix/cure?, What can I do?, Who can help me?
Feelings~overwhelmed, exhausted, driven, incompetent, sense of urgency (burn out)
Preoccupied with your child with special needs

3) Setting In
~Searching subsides
~Frantic pace subsides
~Integrate child with special needs into the rest of family life (stability and harmony for entire family)
~Let go of unrealistic expectations
~Shift perspective from sorrow to being practical and seeing positives
~Better able to select what is important, establish new priorities
~Have a support network in place - know where to find things
~Acceptance

4) Transitions (Starting new programs or schools)
~re-evokes feelings you had at the beginning
~New searches for information, resources, services
~Feelings are less intense, do not last as long
~Sense of urgency again to "teach" the child new skills
~Worry that the child will not cope, services will not be in place
~Prepare to "let go" - redefine parental role.