Balancing career ceeds of parents and the family as a whole with the needs of the children.
This may be the hardest part for you: Should you go overseas at all?With all this information in hand, it is time for a serious parent discussion. Even if you can obtain medical clearance to go to one or more of the posts you are considering, you need to sit down and weigh carefully the career demands you are facing in light of the needs of all your family members. This is a huge issue for some families, especially those in Foreign Service branches of the government in which overseas postings are essential for career advancement. If your child's special needs are such that in fact they can be met without question in the foreign setting, then this won't be a serious issue. But what if they can't, or you're not sure? The situation of the child with special needs occurs in the context of a family. You will also be taking into account the career advantages of the posting, the enriching experience and challenges of overseas living for your other children and family members, and also any disadvantages, such as having to put a spouse's career on the back burner.
There will be many eager to give you advice about the matter, but nobody can make this decision as wisely as you can. Let's be honest: the special needs of some children are so severe, or require such specialized care, that overseas assignments are not possible. More than likely, however, you'll be able to find a posting and school that will work if you start communications as early as possible and make them totally honest. You may, indeed, be surprised at what extraordinary arrangements can be extended, especially to U.S. government families.
