Ten things some people aren't aware of about children with disabilities
- Children with disabilities have abilities, too!
- There are many children in our schools who are undiagnosed or untreated. They are mainstreamed and expected to "keep up with the norm"
- Many many children with severe and profound birth defects or injuries are capable of making decisions for themselves....if given the correct tools.
- School programs teach kids how to be in school...not necessarily how to be appropriate citizens.
- Many children with poor social behaviors can be taught appropriate social behaviors. It is the most loving thing you can do...to teach a child to be able to go to dinner, museums, galleries, movies (if they can handle the noise, etc), parks, carnivals or even the grocery store. What a fulfilling life they can have with family and even FRIENDS!
- Often...but not always, children with disabilities come from parents with similar disabilities.
- Families of children with disabilities go through the grief process...grief of what their child could have accomplished, fear of the future, loss of "a normal" child experience, anger, resentment, etc.
- Children of all abilities do better with consistent boundaries and expectations than without. People often excuse behaviors because they think the child isn't able to live up to expectations. This is a myth.
- The term 'retarded' doesn't mean 'unable to learn'. Not all people with disabilities are mentally retarded.
- I have learned a tremendous amount from my students. They are humorous, loving, capable, and stubborn....just like me! Just like my co-workers!
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