Many people think that working with children with special needs is a big challenge. They see them as completely different people.

According to an article by Sandy Hamm, “Society has looked upon children with disabilities as outsiders for centuries. All children who don’t seem quite right in one way or another has been made fun of, held back, harassed, cut off from reality, pushed aside, hospitalized, and ignored for so long that we as a society should be totally ashamed of ourselves. We celebrate Our Freedom on Independence Day but has anyone ever thought about what kind of freedom we offer those with Disabilities. Something to think about.”

While this article was written back in 2000 and in some way times have changed, I can agree with this in many ways. I have seen people treat people with disabilities (children or adults), even as a complete stranger, as someone they wouldn’t want to be seen with.

One of the first things I learned when working with children with special needs was how to make them feel comfortable around you. Be cautious, but try to hide your nerves.

Another important thing is to observe the children’s behavior. After being with them for a little while you start to use common sense and notice their unique abilities and you kind of adapt to that. Be patient. I think the biggest challenge many people face is that they try to bond with the child and when they see it isn’t working, they give up.

You need to give it time and don’t rely on just doing one thing and expect them to get it right away. Each child born with a disability is almost always dependent on someone for the rest of their life. As they grow older they sometimes can require more and sometimes require fewer needs. However, most of the time they’re going to need help.

Why should this mean we should have them feel like they’re getting “extra attention”?

They just want to be like everyone else.

Children with disabilities can do many of the things children without disabilities can, it just takes them a little bit longer. “Just because some children look a little different, walk a little different, talk a little different, and act a little different. What right do we have to continually hold these children back from reaching goals and being productive in some manner?”