How Can You Stand Up For Or Help Children With Special Needs?

Use this forum to discuss the May 2023 Book of the Month, "Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures" by Catherine A. Pepe
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Vincent Nyabwari
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How Can You Stand Up For Or Help Children With Special Needs?

Post by Vincent Nyabwari »

In the book, Mary Grace stood up for her brother against bullies and cared for him. What other ways can you help such people or childrens?
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Post by Cheryl Erickson »

You can advocate for them by educating people about their particular needs. For example, I had a special needs student in my class as a teacher. Before the school year started, her mother called a meeting with school staff to educate us about her daughter's needs and warning signs for when she would need to go to the hospital. She printed out information to keep in our planning books for reference. Then I met with the remaining staff and taught them what I had learned. I also spoke to my students and taught them what they needed to know about their classmate. Educating people is beneficial so they know what to expect instead of judging or bullying.
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Post by Romeo Aiyabei »

You can help by taking the time to understand them and communicate with them. My younger sister is non-verbal so I've been trying to learn different ways to communicate with her throughout her life. Now we have ACC and that's helped a lot but for many years my family was in denial about her being non verbal and autistic and didn't really want to get her speech therapy or an ACC. They just wanted her to be "normal". During those years, our main way to communicate would be her taking my hand and showing me things or pointing to things. My family members didn't like that I would respond to her. They thought that by me "giving in" it was making her less likely to talk. But I knew that it is cruel to not try and communicate with my sister just because she didnt communicate the way the rest of us do! I don't know if she will ever talk but whether she does or doesn't I will still try and connect with her the best I can because she's still my sister and still worthy of love.
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Post by Patty Allread »

My sister is a special needs person, and after our parents passed, I became her legal guardian. I have advocated for her many times to keep her off of psychotropic drugs. Her mental disability is physically caused, but in today's world, mind-altering psychotropic drugs are often pushed on people like my sister. She has been able to live a happy, drug-free life with people helping her in a loving environment which allows her to function within her community and be as productive as possible.

I used my passion for protecting children like my sister and brought legislation forward in my state that prevents schools from forcing parents to put their children on these drugs. It is called The Child Medication Safety Act.
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Post by Shanesha Sammerson »

Children with special needs often require additional support, and their families may need help in various ways such as emotional support, transportation or respite care. You can offer support to these families through volunteering or donating to organizations that provide support services.
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Post by Bianca Morano »

Autism is a spectrum that varies from person to person with such a condition. Others might need medicinal support while others may not. It's important to let them have a doctor's examination to know their specific needs. People who stand up for children with special needs can help in many ways. Being open-minded and patient is a must. Trying to communicate with them can be challenging most of all. I had a brother who has it and is also non-verbal. Since we can't bring him to a doctor, our family is doing the best it could to provide for his basic needs and better understand him. While researching for better ways in understanding their condition.
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Post by CrossK »

One way that I can help or stand up for children with special needs is to teach them the importance of reaching out and honest communication during their troubles for a problem shared is a problem half-solved. Most of them find it difficult opening up to their peers and adults.
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Post by Carlos Mata Saenz »

I used to help a club who was doing swimming lessons for children with severe autism. It was incredible to see how they were slowly creating a relationship with all of us.
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Post by Hazel Mae Bagarinao »

I consider myself a mental health advocate. I have a heart for those people who lost their self mentally. When I see them roaming around hungry, I gave them food. I hope in the future, I can give more support for them.
"Less is more." ~ Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe
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Post by Olga Markova »

Romeo Aiyabei wrote: 06 May 2023, 22:41 You can help by taking the time to understand them and communicate with them. My younger sister is non-verbal so I've been trying to learn different ways to communicate with her throughout her life. Now we have ACC and that's helped a lot but for many years my family was in denial about her being non verbal and autistic and didn't really want to get her speech therapy or an ACC. They just wanted her to be "normal". During those years, our main way to communicate would be her taking my hand and showing me things or pointing to things. My family members didn't like that I would respond to her. They thought that by me "giving in" it was making her less likely to talk. But I knew that it is cruel to not try and communicate with my sister just because she didnt communicate the way the rest of us do! I don't know if she will ever talk but whether she does or doesn't I will still try and connect with her the best I can because she's still my sister and still worthy of love.
This is an awesome approach! Yes, I fully agree that it is very important to find a way to welcome people with special needs into the community, age regardless but children of course are the most vulnerable. I am lucky not to have any special needs instances in my personal space among humans but I am working on one of my rescue dogs who is somewhat special with autistic symptoms, like she notices the slightest change to her living environment and gets very unsettled - even a painting on the wall can place her into a barking trance. And we have overcome a lot already to make her more agreeable to changes in the gentlest way possible. It is very rewarding when these efforts bring results :) .
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Post by Friederic Schröder »

You can stand up for your children by inspiring to be strong for themselves, you can't always be there for them. therefore, inputting that spirit of Independence should be your number one priority as an adult.
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Post by Anil G »

Friederic Schröder wrote: 11 May 2023, 15:48 You can stand up for your children by inspiring to be strong for themselves, you can't always be there for them. therefore, inputting that spirit of Independence should be your number one priority as an adult.
I completely agree with you, we can't always be there for them. They need to learn to stand for themselves when the time comes. Although, I had protected to such people in my childhood when my junior friends got bullied by my aged group people and I made sure that they do learn to be strong. Now, they are competent enough to stand for themselves.
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Post by ViviVivid »

Cheryl Erickson wrote: 06 May 2023, 14:56 You can advocate for them by educating people about their particular needs. For example, I had a special needs student in my class as a teacher. Before the school year started, her mother called a meeting with school staff to educate us about her daughter's needs and warning signs for when she would need to go to the hospital. She printed out information to keep in our planning books for reference. Then I met with the remaining staff and taught them what I had learned. I also spoke to my students and taught them what they needed to know about their classmate. Educating people is beneficial so they know what to expect instead of judging or bullying.
You did the best thing! Awareness is the first step to keep bullying away, especially when it comes to special needs children.
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Post by Vine Michael »

One way I do know to help them is not to treat them differently from other kids. And also educate both adults and children on how to help them. By creating an awareness we protect them from both themselves and others.
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Post by Ogunkoya Mayowa »

The best way is to educate all children to let them know bullying is a bad habit that must not be found among them. If it's in the school, a rule must be make that any children find bullying will be expelled. By this children will know it's a serious matter.
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