From experience, I have come to realise that working with children with special needs is not like waving a magic wand. This is what therapists (speech and language, behavioural, occupational, and paraprofessionals) need to constantly remind and educate parents about. The truth is, although “therapists are not magicians, magic happens.”

When it comes to therapy for children with special needs, it is not a magic pill but a process that requires patience and the involvement of everyone in the child’s life-family, community, church, teachers, and therapists. It is true that not everyone understands or is/will be able to support, but we can teach those willing to learn.

Every one of us has a role to play in supporting children with special needs, whether they are in therapy or not.

Note to Therapists:

We provide support not only to the children but their families as well, because they face a lot of challenging situations and stressors. Let us do our best not to judge them but empower them with knowledge, empathise and collaborate with them to consistently support the children to make the progress we all want to see. Most often, families are already overwhelmed by a constant flow of suggestions, appointments, information, and sometimes, “complaints”; let’s do our best to support them however we can and encourage them to continue with the tips given by their ward’s therapists at home.

Note to Parents and Families:

Dear parents, guardians, and family members, together we make up the team that holds each other accountable for the progress our wards make. It is tough and frustrating, and sometimes emotionally draining, but I need your support to continue with what you can do at home when “our” ward is with you. The word is consistency if we want to see the child mark the various milestones. As therapists, we wish we could just wave a magic wand or prescribe a magic pill to make it all go away and make it better, but our support is the magic pill our children will need to achieve their full potential.

Love,

Therapists

A Note to Teachers and Schools:

Dear teachers and teaching assistants, just because I am different and may need more support than my peers does not make me “dumb”,  troublesome, difficult or a complete airhead. I want to be a part of everything that happens in class; I would also want to be called upon to make contributions, I do not like to be left out. I do not enjoy walking about all by myself on the compound when everyone else is in class, but it is as though the compound accepts me and would want to spend more time with me. I need you, not only as my teacher but my advocate—telling and standing up for me, asking the administration to put in the right resources and facilities. Remind them that I too can learn a thing or two and, if given the opportunity, can do better and be outstanding. Tell people that I am your student and that you accept and love me. I have a lot of potential. I need your support in harnessing it; would you help me?

I look forward to being included.

Your student with special needs

Note to the Community:

Children with special needs and their families are part of the community you find yourself in-be it church, the mall, the playground, the park, the stadium… Instead of judging them and pointing fingers at them or giving them names, ask how you can help. Do equip yourself with information and do not add more stressors to what families are already going through.

As a community, we are the village that raises a child; let’s do better at being supportive and not be judgemental, superstitious, and stereotypical. If you have no help to give, just walk away; if you have nothing nice to say, just be quiet.