Our Amazing Kids with Special Needs
I just dropped my kid off at middle school. Two weeks ago I dropped my other kid at elementary school.
This happens in millions of families all over the world. I get that many other families have done the same thing; they’ve prepared by getting supplies, filling out forms and attending open houses at schools.
But I have to let you in on a secret.
I feel my kids are superior. Nothing against your neurotypical kids at all. Not a thing against them, really, but it’s just so much more everything for our families. Yes, I’m speaking for all the families of kids with differences of any kind.
I know for us, we have to prepare our kids weeks in advance to help give them the best start with the least anxiety.
We have to have meetings at the end of the last school for this school year; often reading a crystal ball to head off challenges.
We have to work with our doctors and school nurses for medication.
We have to think about what issues our kids faced over the summer and provide updates and reports to educators.
We have to keep our own anxiety in check. Anxiety about bullies, evaluations/reports, teacher readiness, modification implementation, extra equipment/needs for proper access to education, friendship building opportunities and so much more.
Our kids have to work harder to achieve what comes easy to others so their outlay of energy is greater.
Our worry is greater than it is for typical families. Emotional, financial (private pay therapies, private schools, extra tutoring), social.
We have to work out and worry about transportation of our kids; will they be safe? Are they vulnerable?
The worry we face each day stays somewhat in check day-to-day, but at the beginning of the year it’s heightened. It’s heightened because for our kids to walk in a typical world, which they have to do to the best of their ability every single day, it takes more energy and thought for everyone in the family.
It just does.
I feel a certain superiority on behalf of my kids because of it and I’m not afraid to admit it anymore.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.
Yea you! You made it through hurdle one of one million. š
I’m a middle school teacher that is currently staying at home with my twins. When I return to teaching, I hope my mommy heart shines through the most for kids who really need me. I’ll admit that fulfilling an IEP or making accommodations was hard and, to be honest, annoying if you look at it from a purely more-work-to-do standpoint. Which is crazy to feel. I think when I was a new teacher it just felt like more work when I really wasn’t on top of my other work. Later, I just got nervous that I couldn’t do it well enough to meet someone’s needs. I didn’t feel like I had enough training.
So, I’m thanking you parents for standing up for your kids and being patient with us teachers! I hope you know we want to do well by your kids.