Full Life
Children with disabilities need to be included and entrusted with responsibilities. Meet them where they are and give them a job with which they can help. If you have a child with only basic verbal abilities or a non-verbal child, letting them be “in on” the surprise for another family member is so much fun!
Mikey was thrilled to be in the know. He helped to buy snacks and balloons and then we hid them. We made a big fuss about being sneaky in a silly way. He was so proud on the party day to have been a helper.
Think of how wonderful you feel when you do something kind for someone you love. It’s the best! To give our kids a full life, we need to let them do those things also! In this case, it’s really the thought that counts. Mikey picked out snacks and balloons. This was fun for him and Will appreciated his efforts.
I know how important your special kiddos are to you. Make sure they know too by including them in your family’s big moments.
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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