Every single child, no matter how old they are or what they look like is a special gift. but some kids need some extra care because they are challenged in a mental or medical or emotional way. They have 'special needs and will need somebody to help them with certain things or in some cases with everything they need or want to do.
There are four major types of special needs children. 1.)Physical-- Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Asthma, Epilepsy, etc. 2.) Developmental--Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, processing disorders.
If you are interested in learning more about this, you can read here.
Some of these kids can still cope with many of the daily activities we all do, they just need a bit of extra help from a friend, parent or teacher.
It is our responsibility as a kind human being to help where we can, not be mean or tease kids with special needs. (for that matter NO TEASING or bullying with anybody is acceptable...)
Maybe you know of kids in your school who need a wheelchair or use braces when they walk. Those kids have special needs. They not only need the equipment that helps them get around, but they might need to have ramps or elevators available. They also might need to get a special bus to school — one that lifts them up into the bus so they don't have to get up the steps.
It does not mean if a child has 'special needs' that you must avoid them or not be friends with them. We all need friends and people who cares about us. Nobody wants to feel left out.
There are also children with illnesses that has to be looked after and take care what they eat and when they need their medicine. Kids with diabetes and epilepsy will need special meds through the day. A child with a problem seeing will need special equipment to see what they must read. A child with a hearing problem will have to wear a hearing aid in order to hear better and help with his speech. There are many types of illnesses where kids need some extra attention.
Some kids with special needs will still attend a 'regular' school, they will just need some extra help and somebody will join them in class to assist them.
Sometimes when we look at some children we cannot see any form of disability or that they are 'different' from us and you will only know it if you get to know him/her. These can be things like anxiety where a kid worries too much and a professional and teacher and parents are helping the child to get better.
Life can be extra-challenging for a kid with special needs. It might be harder to do everyday stuff — like learning to read or, if a person has physical handicaps, just getting around school or the mall. The good news is that parents, doctors, nurses, therapists, teachers, and others can help. The goal is to help kids be as independent as possible.
You can also help. Do not think because you are only a child, your help does not count. You can help in many ways. like holding someones hand, helping with school work, reminding them to take their medication, being their friend and being kind. Can you think of more ways in which you can help?
If you ever see ANYBODY being bullied, you need to stand up for them and go and tell an adult right away. NOBODY has the right to make you feel bad about yourself. This is not only for special needs kids, but for all the kids, but kids with special need may need extra help from you to 'protect' them against bullies, since they cannot always stand up for themselves.
Be friendly to kids with special needs and the better you get to know them, the better you will understand them and know when they need your help. Remember that even these kids want to be independent and not always be treated like a baby.
The may have a 'disability' but they have the ability to do so many things...
Team South Africa banner designed by
