Inclusion

Inclusion.

This word is the  hottest buzzword in the Down syndrome community. I think for so many years our children were pushed aside and institutionalized that we feel like it is our job to fight for inclusion for this generation and the next generation of kids and adults with Down syndrome.

What I think is important for me to remember is that inclusion looks different in all aspects of life. To me the most important aspect of inclusion is teaching children that everybody is different, and it is OK to be different. Different makes us all better.  As we say in our house “different is cool!” Let’s use different as a time to introduce ourselves and ask meaningful questions and to not turn away. This helps us include everyone in any and everything that we do.

As for my son, adults get it and love him, they think he’s cute, they see his worth, they are so proud of him. His classmates past and present love him. However, for many with disabilities this isn’t the case, many times it’s the kids and adults who have a lot of growing and learning to do. We don’t have to be friends with everybody, but we do have to be kind.

Inclusion in schools looks different for every student. Some students may be more fully included in a classroom all day long, some do half day inclusion and half pull out, and some are in a self-contained class. Whatever your child needs and can thrive in is the correct setting.  Please know that just because a student is in a self-contained class does not change his or her worth; it changes the way he or she learns.  Even within the Down syndrome community people are hesitant to say my child is in a self-contained class.  Don’t be! Be proud if that is what you believe is best. Let’s teach this generation that everyone has worth. Let’s teach this generation that a small group setting isn’t a bad place to be, it is a place for success.

Inclusion doesn’t need to only mean a school setting. The community we live in is the best inclusion setting we have. My son plays sports, goes to restaurants, birthday parties, travels, church and so many more things in the community. We have been very fortunate in this area and I think my son has continued to teach others that this is important: from swim team to Boy Scouts to baseball to soccer to church.  You name it, he is there with all the other kids having a great time. 

One proud momma,
Kim