Dear world: It isn’t that hard to include my child with special needs

Common courtesy isn’t just exclusive to adults, among other adults. In a world made great by variety and differences, children should never be excluded from this common form of morality. Special needs is not a hindrance on the ability for children to commune with one another, and to do so is to inhibit experience and compassion especially among children, the ones who need to experience these feelings the most.

I’m used to this. It doesn’t bother me; it comes with the territory of being Max’s mom, head cheerleader, chief publicist and professional bulldozer.

Okay, let’s agree that children with special needs ought to be treated in a particular manner, that’s fine. But using common sense on how to approach and involve children with special needs and integrate them with children without is becoming a rarity. Special needs are just that, children that are children just in the spectrum of needing a little more practical love and attention than others, exclusion of them, especially among their peers is unhealthy for all parties involved. Break free from social conditions and norms and allow children with special needs to integrate without inhibition.
An open mind. Including children and teens with disabilities in activities and programs and basically anywhere starts with that. It’s what I so joyfully encountered last year when I approached the director of a local dance school about getting Max tap lessons, and she was all “I’m happy to help in any possible way.” And boy, has he been loving his tap lessons.
~ Love That Max

Key Takeaways:

1
A child with a particular need should not be signed up for activities with the kids with no struggles.
2
If that means that a parent must advocate for activities for struggling learners, then that is their calling.
3
When approaching special needs, schools, teachers, and other students should keep an open mind.