What does it mean to you?

At my training they asked us to define Inclusion. Here's the definitions our class came up with:

• Equality
• Citizenship
• Included
• Belonging
• All abilities (that was my answer)
• No differences
• Family & Community (supports)
• Acceptance
• Listen to your child, that's where the definition should come from- their wishes

According to DEC/NAEYC they define early childhood inclusion as:

Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of

every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad

range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a

sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development

and learning to reach their full potential. The defining features of inclusion that can be used to identify high quality early childhood programs and services are access, participation, and supports.

 

 

Our Inclusion Journey has just begun. This is the first year that JD is in a "mainstream" class, he is in Pre-kindergarten. He attends with a therapeutic staff support and receives occupational therapy (for sensory coping & handwriting), special education instructor (to teach socialization), a behavioral specialist consultant (behavior plan to keep him on task). His class varies from 8 children and 2 staff to a combined 4-5 year old class of 21 kids, 4 staff. He tends to do better in the larger combined class to our shock. This year we've seen progress, a fair share of meltdowns, and also glimpses into where he will face challenges. He is so smart and gets frustrated when his friends do not always follow his thoughts. He knows his manners beautifully, he feels when he needs to calm down and asks for comfort or help to calm down. When he wants to, he follows directions nicely and he genuinely wants to please everyone with his good work. He enjoys playing with his classmates, he likes to badly tell knock knock jokes, and he likes to comfort his friends when they're sad. He's the first to go up to his teacher to tell him what he's learned. He's the first to teach his classmates some new discovery. He's so incredibly social despite the challenges we see and I am so incredibly proud of everything he does. He's such a great smart funny kid. He's simply who he is, my JD.

 

The journey so far has been full of learning lessons for us, his parents. All along our son really has been trying to tell us what he's been ready for and what he'd like to do. It was so hard to see him lose a language, to see the behaviors regress, and slowly to understand the diagnosis. The fear went away and although the hurt and anger still linger, seeing him flourish-- my son is teaching me so much on this journey.

While I am better at handling his behaviors and keeping him at an even keel, my husband is better at teaching him things and talking in JD's language. Those two just understand each other when it comes to learning. It's lovely to see how JD is building relationships to each person's strengths.

 

We started early education in a special education classroom at SPIN.He needed that nurturing and supportive environment to learn to speak, to learn to play with friends, to begin to self regulate emotions. Many other parents want inclusion from the beginning but I think we made the right decision for JD's needs. Plus, back then I knew nothing about advocating for his educational needs.  

 

My goal has always been to mainstream by kindergarten. But I was not sure if we'd make that a reality. And I'm still not sure, I still worry that we're pushing him too much. But I have to remember, just as he made his wishes known for every failed attempt at an organized sporting activity up to now, JD will surely let his wishes known in this environment too. Last spring, for example, my son's behavior regressed but the team made the decision that he was ready for "regular class" and his behavior was simply him telling us that he was bored and ready to be challenged. And so heart in my throat, we started out in regular pre-K. Sure we got expelled from the 1st school that claimed inclusion when all they really meant was "if they act normal enough" with little to no respect for a child's own development and challenges. But luckily, we found a new home where sure things aren't perfect, but they are open to make changes to JD's individual needs and have even incorporated things/activities into the regular curriculum so that my son doesn't feel singled out. 

 

So for me, inclusion means "all abilities, no differences, no pity or sympathy." It also, however, means that I can't push him to do things that I want him to do. I have to let him have some sense of autonomy and let him be a child. Autism doesn't change his ability to choose his likes and dislikes. As he grows, JD continues to show and teach me valuable lessons. He's making me be a better mom. He's teaching me how to be a JD expert. And if you have the joy of meeting my son, he'll teach you something about life too.