| Additional Suggestions for Special Needs |
When children understand someone with special needs, it tends to make them more understanding. Some disabilities are visually obvious to kids and others are more hidden. Issues arise socially in either situation but parents can help children to understand disabilities which will help pave the way for a friendship to begin.
When Do Kids Notice Differences? This depends greatly on the kids involved and the effect the disability has on a child. According to several special education professionals, many differences due to a disability begin to become apparent to their non-disabled classmates around the second half of second grade. This information is totally anecdotal and is in no way scientific. When you or school staff begin to notice that kids are reacting differently to a child with special needs, a meeting to discuss any budding issues is appropriate. It is better to be proactive in this situation than to wait until possible confusion about your child may erode friendships that have already formed. A chat with the class may be appropriate to explain aspects of your child that may seem mysterious to other kids. Social Smart Kids offers this service for those residing in and around the Massachusetts area. Click here for more information on the Social Smart Kids Consulting Service.
Make Friends Parent-to-Parent - if a parent feels comfortable with you, their actions and attitude will be passed along to their children.
Make Discussion of the Disability Comfortable for Others - if parents, teachers, and children feel comfortable asking you questions about your child, you will then have countless opportunities to help them to understand your child. Although these questions can become tiresome for you as the parent, these are extremely valuable teaching moments!! Many of us parents who have children with special needs will spend the rest of our lives educating others and this "job" will definitely help to pave the way for social success for your child. Again, if they understand, they will be more understanding! If a child is playing with your child and seems confused by your child's behavior, it may help to explain in a kid-friendly manner. For example, if the friend is playing with a toy harmonica and it is bothering your child's ears, you could say, "Did you know that some noises hurt Josie's ears? That's why she looks upset right now. Are there any sounds that hurt your ears?" Then, of course, coach Josie to speak to her friend about how the noise hurts her ears!
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