Believe

What is one of the most important things you can give a child?

 

Your belief in them.

Belief in their talents,

their dreams,

their abilities.

As you meet the needs

of your individual children,

you validate who they

are and who they

can become by believing in them.

 

Children with disabilities

are often discounted.

Schools systems and the people

in them doubt the

need for them to be

included with their

more "typical" peers.

 

When Kyle was transitioning from

early intervention to the Special Needs Pre-school

(he was ALMOST three years old),

a school psychologist came to our

home to review the results of the test she had given Kyle.

She sat in my living room,

and with a look of contrived sympathy,

and a hint of superiority in her voice,

said to me,

"Kyle scored the lowest of anyone I've

ever tested on the I.Q. test."

She then gave me a number ~ which I don't remember ~

then asked,

"How do you feel about that?"

 

I looked her in the eye and said,

"Your test does not reflect my child.

All it shows are the things he refused to do for you.

Does it show that he can run the VCR (yes, back in the day) better than I can?

Does it tell you that he can run the microwave?

Did it let you know that he understands and can use

locks?  Because he routinely locks me out of the house

and won't let me back in, even though he's staring at me through the door and giggling.

Your test shows nothing of my child. 

It shows only what he wouldn't do for you."

 

She was NOT pleased with my answer.

Her face got all red and pinched and she gathered

up her papers and left ~ fairly quickly.

 

Kyle ~ like the rest of our family ~

has never taken too kindly to being told what to do.

If it's not his idea, he will consider it,

and likely not do it.

He's not apologetic about it either.

 

The point I'm trying to make is that I believe in his ability.

I see ability that others don't want to see.

The Special Needs pre-school was good for Kyle.

We fought to have him in our neighborhood school with his peers for Kindergarten and it was a rough year, because none of the school staff believed he should be there.

And then we moved. 

It was like coming out of a dark tunnel into bright sunlight.

Not only was he welcomed in the typical classroom,

he was wanted, and supports were put in place,

friendships were made.

He thrived.

 

Whether those around you believe in your child or not.

Don't you ever stop seeing his/her abilities

and possibilities.

Follow dreams.

Encourage inclusion.

Foster friendships.

In every child...

Believe.