Overcoming Fear of School Bus

My first-grader will not ride the school bus. He has a pretty good reason. Last year, the bus hit a telephone pole and took out some wires. Luckily, no one was hurt. The next day, he said he was not well, so I took him to see the doctor. For three days, he came home all right with a different driver. Then the school called and said he was hysterical about the ride home. He hasn't ridden the bus since then - even for a class field trip. The school won't let me ride on the bus with him. Besides, I don't want to force him to ride the bus.
I have tried using bribery, having him go to the bus stop with friends, and negotiating. I have talked to the school counselor, but she was not any help. What do you think? Does he need counseling? Will he outgrow this? Should I keep driving him?
I am afraid that my son heard my husband and me talking about the accident and might have heard more than he should have. This is why I am considering counseling. Also, he does not like winding roads or amusement-park rides. I think it is all connected. - Bus Problem
Answer: It's probably best to get your son into counseling now so his fear of riding the school bus doesn't move into other situations or have any long-term effects. The counselor might suggest some desensitization training. For example, for several days, your son could walk up close to the school bus with you, and even step on the bus and then get off, so he begins to feel comfortable with the bus. You also might try the same thing with a city bus, and then finally ride on the city bus with him.