Hospital to School Transition: The Experience of Caregivers of Children with Disabilities and Special Healthcare Needs

Abstract

The transition from hospital to school settings can be a challenging process for individuals involved, particularly for children with disabilities and special healthcare needs and their caregivers. Hospital and school personnel often report feeling unprepared to support the child during this transition, which may increase uncertainty for the child and their families. Research suggests that there is no streamlined process in place for most families, and much of the communication between hospitals and schools falls short if families are unsure how to advocate for these conversations. To better understand the needs of these families, we conducted a survey asking caregivers of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs about their opinions on how school systems address the transitional needs of the family. The results indicated that caregivers feel there is a lack of support and knowledge from school personnel regarding the needs of the child as they transition back to the school setting. Caregivers often feel isolated during the transition, as they are unaware of the resources available to them and feel they must communicate with both the hospital and school settings without support. The study discusses practical implications for caregivers and school personnel and suggests future research directions for the hospital-to-school transition.