All of the kids were rushing to Nathan, fighting over who got to play with him first. They wanted to show him their lego constructions. The wanted to help him build his own. Nathan was so happy.
We were in his kindergarten class, where he is spending the afternoons in full-inclusion with 24 other 5 year olds. It was so exciting to see him in that setting.
Then I had to lift him to transition him to another chair, and the diaper popped out a little bit. One of the girls asked, with that child-like incredulous voice, “Does he wear diapers?”
I was dumb-struck, I had no idea what to say. A million thoughts went through my head but nothing stuck. So I was stuck simply saying, “Yes.” That’s it. No brilliant explanation, no interesting comments, no “integration” wisdom. Just, “Yes”. Nathan’s lovely teacher was there and she chimed in, “For now.” She said it with a tone of acceptance and firmness, closing the topic, making it okay for them.
I left feeling a little lost. What should I have said? I better get my story straight so I don’t get caught in the cold like that again in the future. What do you guys say when you get questions like that?
We are in the process of potty training Emma. I bet Nathan would take to it, too! But, I digress….
Whenever I get questions on anything Emma related, I say something similar to you – Yes, and then sometimes I say she’s working on “it” and then talk about the task at hand. Sounds like he certainly has a fantastic teacher! Love how she phrased it and I think I could take a lesson from her.
Horray for Nathan and the kids in full inclusion. I bet he is one happy boy!
Good answer! I like to say, “Every kid is different and no one is the same in the way we grow up; everybody does things at different times.”…when Will asks questions about others’ abilities. I’ll bet Nathan loves Kindergarten!
I’d steal the ‘yes, for now.’
few words, age appropriate, full of hope.
Marce, I use the same in the similar situations. Yes, it is like that etc… No, explanation as I do not have any.
The teacher handled that situation perfectly.
just “yes” i perfect!
nothing more is needed for little munchkins.
Children are perceptive – they already know he is not ‘like the rest of them.’
So, they WON”t care that he wears diapers…..
they will probably work hard to ‘nurture’ him becasue to them, he seems like the baby of the group.
It’s a beautiful thing!!!
p.s. your reCaptcha is SO diffucult to read. I never get it right the first, second or sometimes third time…….just thought you might want to know.
Marcela,
I have lost your phone #! Is there any way that you can call me? 605-337-2880 We have Cate’s IEP coming up Feb. 17th and I am desperate for some of your wisdom!!!!
Hugs, Tami
elliott is in a daycare 2 days a week that is an inclusion class there is one other special needs child there like elliott. elliott loves it because the kids are great at interacting with him and can run around him. his favorite thing to do is watch the kids play. it is hard though because the kids get to do things he can’t and i hear the parnets talk about them eating and going to the potty, so i do get jelous. they ask a lot,why can’t he do that why does he eat paper, or like the diapers. i tell them different things on different days some days i say what the teacher says, some days i just tell them that his brain is different. it is an inclusive daycare so i assume the parents what to teach their kids to accept people. i had to leave a long message because that is something that i have been going through recently. i do like the inclusive class. he will be going to a special needs class next year for early preschool. it will be nice because they can make sure he doesn’t eat paper and things like that. his class now is so big he can’t really get a lot of attention. there are benefits with both. thanks for sharing, i don’t feel so alone with that.