"Special Needs"

Blech! Yet another word or phrase that makes me retch. "Special Needs" ranks right up there with "politically correct," "we pimpin'," "bling" and "awesome." These words and phrases simply grate on my nerves whenever I hear them, partly because they are overused, but also because they are meaningless. Take bling for example. Why say bling when, in most instances, it is more accurate to say hideous, gaudy jewelry worn in poor taste? Why say "we pimpin'" when it would be more accurate to say "I've painted and accessorized my truck to the point of technicolor tackiness."



Let us examine "special needs" as it relates to Suzanne. Her needs are not really so special. She only needs what every other kid needs. She needs love, nurturing, protection, friendship, patience, kindness, purpose, health, family, security, play, laughter, a brother to hold her hand, cinnamon toast, bandaids and a dry fanny. This is a pretty ordinary list when you really look at it. There is nothing too special about it, except for Grandma Della's special cinnamon toast spread, which has certain restorative powers when used during a crying jag.



The really special thing that Suzanne needs, which may not come to her automatically, is inclusion. She needs to be a part of the group, she needs to be where the action is, she needs to be accepted like every other kid on the block. The more that Suzanne is viewed by everyone as just another kid, the better she will do in life and the more she will be able to achieve. Inclusion is a vital key in helping kids with developmental delays to succeed.



It is interesting to note that in classrooms where there is a child with Down Syndrome, the test scores are higher than in other classes. Hmmmm...wonder why that is??



Anyway, don't look at people with delays as "special." Just remember, that they need exactly the same things that you do and the rest of it is just details.