As a parent, all we want for our children is for them to be in ideal situations that make them happy, especially in their schools. Breaking the barriers of disabilities is no easy feat. Although some schools are catching up, sometimes they need a gentle, little nudge from parents who act as caregivers to their children in order to improve their current conditions.
Students with disabilities are just like any other students, in the sense that they want friends, respect and to feel included. They benefit from being involved through integration into the community. One the other hand, students who don’t have disabilities, benefit by gaining appreciation and building acceptance of individuals with differences and through building meaningful friendships.
Here are some ideas on how schools and communities can build this special bond:
1. Implementing a buddy system
By pairing children who have special needs with their peers, effective results can be achieved. Young children can especially learn that no two people are the same and that some differences are just more noticeable. Both students with disabilities and students without, will benefit from better self-esteem and a greater belief in each other’s abilities.
2. Getting involved in after-school clubs
When students with disabilities are included in clubs, besides cultural and ethnic diversity, another area of diversity is addressed. Students can learn what it’s like to be like one another. Questions can be posed to students to minimize the gaps in perception between classmates. They’ll discover that kids with disabilities can do many things that their peers do – just differently.
3. Respite Care
Involving your child in a community where they can meet people in similar situations can be extremely beneficial for them. At HILA, we offer services such as live-ins and day programmes where your child can mix and mingle with other children in a safe, monitored environment.
The inclusion of children with disabilities and their peers goes a long way. Inclusion promotes new friendships that both parents and children thrive upon. Let’s help children learn that we all have likes and dislikes and strengths and weaknesses that make us unique.
At HILA, we believe that the service we offer starts with you. Through understanding your situation, we can tailor-make a unique service that’ll benefit you and your loved one in the best possible way.
For more information on our services and how we can help you, call us today on 21436934 or 79786863.
