How to Talk to Kids About Your Child's Special Needs
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Don't sugar-coat things. A simple, straightforward, honest response to a question will prompt more empathy and cooperation.
But don't overshare. Searfoorce answered a lot of questions but each answer was brief. She didn't overwhelm the children with more information or emotion than they could absorb.
Consider getting an ally. While Searfoorce seems to have handled this situation admirably, some parents might be more comfortable asking a teacher, counselor, or school psychologist to talk to the class about their child. The professional could also simply discuss generic information so as not to single out a specific student.
Be developmentally appropriate. First-graders can be very tolerant of personal hardships and differences, while eighth-graders have a strong desire to conform. Know your audience.
Educate early. One of the best ways to support your child is to push for increased education concerning developmental, psychiatric, and learning disorders in general. Wouldn't it have been great if the kids in Searfoorce's son's class had already had a series of short introductions to the variety of differences people can have before her son's accident?
Susan J. Schwartz, M.A.Ed., director of the Child Mind Institute's Learning and Diagnostics Center, has been on the forefront of interdisciplinary approaches to evaluating and treating those with reading, writing, math, and organizational difficulties, as well as nonverbal learning disorders. She is also a significant public voice on learning accommodations and special education services in our schools. Visit childmind.org for more of her expert advice.
