Re adjustment - for ours, the first months were fine but Christmas brought out the blues in a big way, which at first we didn’t expect because things had gone so smoothly up until then. Talk often about your plans and expectations for holidays (what are your family’s traditions? Will AP be working?) and try to incorporate traditions from your AP’s culture.

Hello, I am a former AP and current professional nanny.

I'd personally pick someone that has some kind of education in special needs rather than someone who has an experience with it at home.
It can be tough everyday to deal with it and maybe that AP will be looking for less challenge for her gap year.

As far as the adjustement goes, do you have specific questions ?

We are exploring options for the upcoming school year and considering an Au-Pair. My preference would be for the Au-Pair to have been raised with a sibling who has some kind of medical condition or special needs. Bonus if they studied it, but lived experience would be our preference. Please share any helpful considerations when moving forward.

What did you find surprising about the Aupair's adjustment in the first few months?

What would you have asked during the interview process that could've changed things for the better?