Taking the Bus yes or no??? new district with bus service

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Hi,

My daughter will be entering kindergarten(we are moving in June back closer to family - yeah!! ! much better programs and support overall so we are excited), and we will be transferring her IEP there.

There isn't bus service here so I haven't even thought of that as an option(the thought of a 5 year old on a bus scares me but thats a different issue), however I have a girlfriend who's son is older and special needs that lives back there, he took the special needs bus when he was little(kinder/elementary), he had learning support classes. My daughter is in full inclusion preschool right now but I am unsure of her placement once we move depending on how well she does(she is HFA but I worry about her future in a new district/state and the pressures of kindergarten). I am going to push for kinder with a full time aide to be put in her IEP prior to our move so she gets that in the new school. Not sure how she will do overall though, crossing fingers she does fine but its a lot of changes.

I would like parent's input on if you think having them take the bus is a good idea..... is even worth it or necessary? My daughter sees school buses on TV and wants to ride one. I have a social story book about it but the thought of it all makes me cringe.

I guess my opinion at this time is I'd rather have her not be a nervous wreck before school starts so dodging the bullet of a bus isn't worth going on it like other kids.... also the stigma of the special needs bus I think would make it even harder for her(I have to be honest the whole point of inclusion and then her being separated from her peers for transportation saddens me... or her being on the bus with neurotypical kiddos and falling apart is even more scary). I don't even know what the new district does re: transportation at this age - I just found out about it so I am trying to gather my thoughts on all of this. Bus service isn't huge here so its a whole new thought process for me.

Any thoughts? did you do the bus at all or try it? I hated the bus personally growing up and wonder whats the point. which is worse getting picked on on a bus or for not going on the bus??? I think she may have to do the special needs bus... to me if she is in inclusion with an aide I dont' want her to be singled out either.

I am overthinking maybe but this new scenario has me thrown off and I am feeling guilty if I don't try to have her ride a bus.. but then again I don't know what this new district will even offer... just pondering the what ifs and what other's have dealt with in the big picture.

Thanks for listening.