Awareness about special needs and acceptance, whether we're talking about kids with autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, starts with an understanding that children with special needs are children first. That, in many ways, they are not so different from other kids. And yet, so many people look at our children and only see the disability. Here's a little list of just some of the basic ways children with special needs are like any other kids.
1. Have definite preferences about what they want to wear, eat, drink, watch and play
2. Understand more than you think
3. Get a kick out of Itsy Bitsy Spider, peek-a-boo and let's-watch-Daddy-try-to-parallel-park
4. Act like brats at times (having special needs does not automatically qualify them as angels)
5. Want the piece of birthday cake with the flower
6. Think knock-knock jokes are a laugh riot
7. Play favorites with Mom and Dad, depending on who's more likely to give in
8. Snuggle or convey love with their eyes, without saying a word
9. Get psyched when a favorite song comes on
10. Enjoy being at the playground, in the sandbox, in the pool or wherever kids have a good time
11. Have dreams of what they'd like to be when they grow up
12. Insist that they are right
13. Know when they've done wrong (but don't ecessarily want to admit it)
14. Ask for chocolate ice-cream before dinner, though they so know you won't let 'em
15. Consider bath time let's-flood-the-floor time
16. Need regular hugs
17. Get annoyed when people talk about them as if they weren't right there
18. Love the free stickers at the doctor's and dentist's office
19. Hate haircuts
20. Want to win when they play games
21. Are curious about bugs, rain, microwaves, vacuums and the world around them
22. Can totally tell that you're lying when you say "But Toys 'R Us is closed right now!"
23. Get upset when someone won't play what they want to play
24. Crack up when they burp or fart, or anyone in their vicinity burps or farts. Because they're, you know, kids
25. Have books they want to read over and over (and: over)
26. Are full of potential
27. Refuse to eat their veggies
28. Refuse to go to bed
29. Can sense when you need a kiss
30. Get a kick out of cooking with Mom or Dad, and a bigger kick out of making a mess
32. Bang on the door or screech when you are in the bathroom because they need you RIGHT NOW
33. Crack up at that part in the movie, every single time
34. Didn't get the memo about sharing
35. Are utterly fascinated by iPads, iPhones and iAnything
36. Are utterly fascinated by boogers and butts, too
37. Attempt to get out of doing chores, bedroom clean-up and schoolwork
38. Enjoy being alone—not because they're anti-social, but because they like their own company
39. Eat macaroni and cheese every lunch for a year
40. Can be totally into crayons or Play-doh one minute, then totally bored the next
41. May have a better sense of direction than their parents do and other unique smarts
42. Get embarrassed when their parents are overly effusive about their achievements
43. Randomly decide they don't want to go to school today, thankyouverymuch
44. Get all righteous if their sibling gets the bigger half
45. Think that taking a plane, train or bus is as much fun as the actual vacation
46. Enjoy looking at their beautiful selves in mirrors
47. Like playing dress-up
48. Get scared of clowns
49. Have lazy days
50. Just enjoy being kids
LOVE this! But hate that we might have to "enlighten" others that commonalities exist.... *sigh* (PS - YAY for #5!)
ReplyDeleteLOVE. THIS!
ReplyDeleteGreat List!
ReplyDeleteI was reading this post and I was imaging Mariana hahaha, loved it! First time i read it, i make sure it won't be the last time!! Kisses and hugs from Barranquilla-Colombia
ReplyDeleteCheck my blog, is in spanish :(
http://elmundodenanabanana.blogspot.com/
Love this!! I hold it to be very true. Thank you for posting this it made my day. We also have a blog on our special needs daughter.
ReplyDeleteYou can drop our blog at: http://welove2learn.com
Reminding everyone that your 24yr old boy is not just 24. He's 5,10,17yrs old all at the same time. Every mistake is wonderful! Every gigantic mess was a job well done and laugh about it!!!! Watching Dora the Explorer w/your 24yr old! Having dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner. Going to the toy dept when your friends can't come over and going to the same section every single time to find the "just right" spiderman,batman or wrestler! Have 5 of your friends over every weekend (all with special needs). Now that 's a blast, but you better know each child's needs in order to make the weekend go right. Have a full pantry for that! Cuddle,sing and read funny story books with your precious 24yr old. Hold him tight each night till you both fall asleep. My boy. The light of my life forever. Barb and Nicholas Summo
ReplyDeleteThat's really beautiful, Barb. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteLove what you say and totally relate to it, especially the part about having a child who is many different ages.
DeleteAnd I have a few more
ReplyDelete1- Loves the water
2- Has a favorite color
3- Is fascinated by trains etc
4- Are clever
5- Appreciates good music
YES!!!
DeleteThey will sing to the tambourine and the harp and rejoice to the sound of the flute.
ReplyDeleteJob 21:12
Who doesn't love music?
Hi! My name is Erik. I am 12 and I have a blog where I review books. I was looking around the internet to find resources to go with a book I am reviewing on Friday. It is a picture book about cerebral palsy. I found your article (and blog) and I'm going to link to it from my book review... but that's not the point. I just wanted you to tell Max he's awesome and "Hi" from me. :)
ReplyDelete