ArticleParents
What to do in the first 14 days (and what can wait)
A gentle two-week pacing plan for right after an evaluation — what matters now, and what can absolutely wait.
SupportNest Editorial
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An evaluation report is not a countdown clock. Almost nothing on it needs action this week. The most useful thing you can do in the first fortnight is protect your own bandwidth, so the bigger decisions later are made by a rested version of you.
A pace for the first two weeks
- Days 1–3: Rest. Tell one trusted person. Don't research at 2am.
- Days 4–7: Read the report once, slowly. Highlight only what you don't understand.
- Days 8–10: Write your questions down. Book a follow-up to ask them.
- Days 11–14: Pick one small, concrete next step — and stop there.
What can genuinely wait
- Choosing therapies — that's weeks or months away, not days.
- Telling extended family — only when you're ready, on your terms.
- Big school decisions — the system moves slowly; you have time.
If grief shows up instead of relief, that's normal and healthy. It is not a verdict on your child, or on you.