Preparing your classroom for a child with special needs

I recently met a friend for coffee who told me she was getting her classroom ready for a child with special needs.  We brainstormed some things we thought would be helpful to the child who will be coming into an inclusive classroom.  Here are our ideas.  Making a home visit to help the child and her family meet the teacher in a familiar setting.  To help with separation, we thought it would be important to invite the child and family members to visit the classroom a few days before school begins.  We thought the child with special needs would want to get to know her classmates and the teacher could help with introductions by pointing out something interesting about each student.  Finally, we agreed that all children need to feel safe and welcome in the classroom.  It will be important to warmly welcome this child, as well as all the other children.  This is the teacher's opportunity to model how others should interact with a child who has special needs.