It was only a whisper, but I heard it.
“He’s not normal.”
And my ears closed up a little bit.
It was a young girl explaining to her little brother, why my son, who is autistic and non-speaking, was acting a bit “weird.”
And I get it.
Because Joshua can be shouty, flappy with his arms, and act very differently to other children when we’re out and about.
But it still hurt.
I know she didn’t mean any harm. She was trying to help her younger brother But it makes me think that we need to be more inclusive in society of children (and adults) who have complex disabilities like non-speaking autism.
Many children who go to special needs schools like my son does are segregated from society. There are no inter-school sports tournaments, or opportunities for children in mainstream schools to meaningfully engage with children like my son Joshua. Or for him to engage with them.
So when they see a snapshot of my son, they think, “He’s not normal.” And they don’t understand how to engage with him.
To be fair, even adults often don’t know how to engage with Joshua either.
Some people ignore him. Some talk to him like he is a baby. And others just look away.
The truth is.
You just need to be kind. That’s all that matters.
Say “hello” even if the person you’re talking to doesn’t say hello back. Like the guy from the basketball game kiosk, who said “Hey buddy, how are you?” even through my son was silent in his reply.
Ask them to join in, even if they don’t show any interest. Because they might just be interested. And even if they don’t join in – you’ll make them feel included, wanted and loved.
#NonSpeaking #Autism #AlwaysBeKind #NormalIsOverrated #WordsMatter #Inclusivity #SpeechDevicesMatter #BeThatDifference
©️Tap Type Talk
(IStock image used for this piece).
