Not Neuro-Typical? All Can Contribute, All Matter

A child with Special Needs who is not neuro-typical often spends hours upon hours in school being coached. They learn how to read social cues and interact with the people in the world around them appropriately. They are constantly cued, disciplined, and watched to make sure this happens.

Someone asked a question recently that really made me stop and think.

Why aren't neuro-typical kids taught to understand the way non-neuro-typical kids function? Click To Tweet

If we as a society are going to spend time redefining gender, and morality and asking that we reexamine them, shouldn’t we spend time learning about how people whose brains might work a little differently than ours?

One of the biggest gifts children with special needs can give to those who don’t have special needs? The realization that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to have different talents, dreams, and ways of doing things.

You can be happy in life in spite of being different. You CAN succeed despite major obstacles. ~An Ordinary Mom Click To Tweet

Isn’t that something you desperately want your children to understand?

I know I do.

Yes, being with our children who are different can, and will, likely be uncomfortable for you and for your children at first. Just like it was uncomfortable for people when they first spent time with the American Indians, the Irish, and the African Americans. Our children should be included in all aspects of life.

They are equal world citizens. Your children who will later grow into adults need to know and understand how people without neuro-typical brains work, that they can contribute, that they matter.

Let’s increase our understanding for all.

8 thoughts on “Not Neuro-Typical? All Can Contribute, All Matter

  1. Yes I definitely agree with you. All children should be taught about neuro-diversity. I know that my sons class learned a lot when he gave a talk about being autistic and I hope that having him in their class at primary school taught them a lot about acceptance of difference. #mixitup

  2. Well said. As a mum with both NT and non NT kids, all my kids are knowledgeable about how different children can be. They are much more accepting and understanding. It’s only when I meet families that don’t have any experience that I can see how different children misunderstand so much about those that function differently. It would be wonderful if ALL children could be more aware of these differences.
    #mixitup

  3. This was such a great post, Calleen! I loved what you said about accepting ALL people regardless of what they look like or think like. I think that it’s really quite easy to shy away from things and people that are different than we are, but not only is it kind and compassionate to interact with those who think differently than we do, but it is also the best place that BOTH can be because both will change. We will stay the same when we interact with people that are the same as us, but if we get outside of our comfort zone and spend time with those who think differently than we do, we (and the other person) will grow and change.

    Sarah
    http://www.wholeheartedwanderings.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.