logo
g Text Version
Auto
Beauty & Self
Books & Music
Career
Computers
Education
Family
Food & Wine
Health & Fitness
Hobbies & Crafts
Home & Garden
Money
News & Politics
Relationships
Religion & Spirituality
Society & Culture
Sports
Travel & Leisure
TV & Movies

dailyclick
Bored? Games!
Postcards
Astrology
Take a Quiz
Rate My Photo

new
Jokes & Riddles
Astronomy
Philosophy
Public Health
Canadian Culture


dailyclick
All times in EST

Low Carb: 8:00 PM

Full Schedule
g
g Special Needs Children Site
Pamela Wilson
BellaOnline's Special Needs Children Editor

g

Is Diversity Like A New Box of Crayons?

When should a child with a disability be included in a mainstream classroom, or integrated with typically developing peers in other programs? How do we write inclusion into a student's IEP?

Often, an adult's idea of diversity in a classroom on the first day of school is similar to our image of a newly opened box of crayons. There is something so appealing about the brand new combination of colors standing shoulder to shoulder, each with nearly unlimited potential and their own unique contribution to make to the art of the whole.

But that perspective is not true even on the child's first day in the world. Just as every pregnancy, labor and delivery is a new and different story, every baby considered 'in the mainstream' is unique from birth on. Babies born with a diagnosis fit into the diversity of their generation just like their mainstream peers.

Let me put it this way: no parent sends a child to school who is like a brand new crayon. Our kindergartens are much more like the teacher's old box of mixed nubs from previous year's classes.

There will be some that appear to have more in common than others, depending on whether the colors were in favor with last year's artists, but most have already been marked up nicely by being jumbled in with different colors; many have had some or all of the paper peeled away, been re-sharpened, scented, pierced, flattened, enhanced, carved, rubberbanded, melted, or decorated - and a few have experienced recess or camping trips. Some have had an extra season in the cigar box, and a sad few were so rarely used they look almost brand new.

We do children with disabilities a disservice when we ask whether they are 'ready' or 'qualify' to be included with their mainstream peers. Every child in a classroom has a history, a potential for finding something in school that is extremely challenging, and a small chance of finding a mentor, supporter or champion who will recognize and help bring out their talents, abilities and strength to carry on in the face of adversity.

Diversity is not like a new box of crayons, or a melting pot where individuality is lost in the muddy mix. We are all more like the well used stubs and shaved down crayons that created yesterday's great works of art, and still have the potential to create a brilliant tomorrow. Every crayon counts, and we should give all our children a better chance to make their mark.


Too often, books on Diversity Awareness, Anti-Bullying Programs, and Character Training do not include students with disabilities - Please preview existing materials and new acquisitions before your PTA or school district buys them.




Autism Spectrum - Adolescent Issues and Privacy
Costumes for Children with Special Needs
Inclusive P.E. for Children with Special Needs
RSS
Related Articles
Previous Features
Site Map


Content copyright © 2008 by Pamela Wilson. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Pamela Wilson. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Pamela Wilson for details.

Digg! g delicious Save to Del.icio.us

g


For FREE email updates, subscribe to the Special Needs Children Newsletter


Past Issues


print
Printer Friendly
bookmark
Bookmark
tell friend
Tell a Friend
forum
Forum
email
Email Editor

g features
Halloween Safety Tips - Children with Disabilities

Sarah Palin and Down Syndrome Awareness

Self Employment for Teens with Disabilities

Archives | Site Map

forum
Forum
email
Contact

Past Issues
memberscenter


vote
Driving Amount
Much more
Slightly more
Slightly less
Much less

g


| About BellaOnline | Privacy Policy | Advertising | Become an Editor |
Website copyright © 2008 Minerva WebWorks LLC. All rights reserved.


BellaOnline Editor