Marshmallows
Inclusion sounds like a lofty ideal. It can feel abstract, but here’s a simple way to look at it. How can I involve my family member with special needs? What kindness would welcome them into the fold.
Mikey likes to drink water and occasionally apple juice. That’s it.
So
When Will was having some cocoa in a Christmas mug, I offered Mikey some as well. He declined, so I made an alternate offer. A festive Christmas mug filled with mini-marshmallows? Deal!
Take inclusion day by day, moment by moment. It’s so much less intimidating that way. Sometimes inclusion just looks like a cup full of marshmallows. Wink.
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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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