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What if...?

School & the System

Common concerns about a child’s lived experience outside the home.

What if I’m embarrassed to admit how hard it is? School & the System What if daycare can’t manage them anymore? School & the System What if the daycare sees something I don’t see? School & the System What if they get sent home again? School & the System What if I make it sound worse than it is? School & the System What if we lose childcare because of this? School & the System What if I don’t have the energy to keep pushing? School & the System What if I feel blamed by educators? School & the System What if I call and no one calls me back? School & the System What if we’re told to wait and things get worse? School & the System What if other children are afraid of them? School & the System What if I minimize it because I’m nervous? School & the System What if we can’t afford to get help? School & the System What if I’m scared to answer the phone because it might be another call? School & the System What if services aren’t available in our language? School & the System What if professionals only see my child for a few minutes and miss what happens at home? School & the System What if they get excluded from school or daycare? School & the System What if we can’t access what they need? School & the System What if I need childcare for my other children? School & the System What if I’m told conflicting things by different people? School & the System What if teachers only see the hard parts? School & the System What if I don’t know whether it’s urgent? School & the System What if we don’t have a family doctor? School & the System What if this puts my job at risk? School & the System What if I don’t understand the system? School & the System What if I don’t know which advice to trust? School & the System What if I disagree with what the school is saying? School & the System What if the waitlist is too long? School & the System What if I’ve had bad experiences asking for help before? School & the System What if I’m worried about labels, files, or records following my child? School & the System What if I don’t have a clear example to share? School & the System What if we get referred to the wrong place? School & the System What if I’m worried someone will blame me? School & the System What if private care is the only option and we can’t pay for it? School & the System What if I’m not ready for an assessment or diagnosis? School & the System What if my child is being punished instead of supported? School & the System What if I need help for myself too? School & the System What if I don’t know which service is right? School & the System What if asking for help makes things worse for our family? School & the System What if we get help but it isn’t the right fit? School & the System What if I just need someone to listen first? School & the System What if the school doesn’t have the resources to help? School & the System What if I just want reassurance before committing to anything? School & the System What if people don’t understand our culture or our reality? School & the System What if I’m not ready to call anyone? School & the System What if I take one step and then don’t know what comes next? School & the System What if I have to tell our story over and over again? School & the System What if I don’t trust the system? School & the System What if I don’t know what to do while we wait? School & the System What if I don’t know what to say when I reach out? School & the System What if they are being bullied or left out? School & the System What if the first person I talk to isn’t helpful? School & the System What if I don’t have time to go to appointments? School & the System What if I’m afraid of being reported or judged? School & the System What if I don’t feel comfortable asking for support? School & the System What if they ask questions I can’t answer? School & the System What if they act differently in different settings? School & the System What if I need permission to trust my gut? School & the System What if I can’t take time off work? School & the System What if I don’t feel heard by professionals? School & the System What if I cry when I talk about it? School & the System What if transportation is a barrier? School & the System What if I’m dismissed again? School & the System