Special Needs

This is not a politically correct post.  If you've come here looking for political correct-ness, you have gotten lost and you need to turn around and go back the way you came.

I watched this interview about Labeling our Children.  And the term "special needs" really got under my skin.  Why?  Because I don't think that's a fair term.  Every child has special needs.  Why are we saying that because they seem "normal" or meet the status quo that they don't have special needs?

My daughter is very bright.  She's only 6 but reading above a 4th grade level (our curriculum only tests to a 4th grade level).  She can memorize with the best of them, she loves to write and has a solid grasp of all of the subjects we are doing.  Next year she will be in 1st/2nd/3rd/4th grade.  A very wide range for a 7 year old.

She should technically be in Kindergarten this year in public school because she missed the birthday cut-off deadline.

"Lindsay, she's obviously brilliant, she doesn't have special needs!"

Uh, yeah she does.  Which is why we homeschool her.  R is a kinesthetic learner.  Meaning she has to be moving to listen well.  I want to know how many teachers love those kids in their classes.  They just love the wiggle worms, the kids that would rather read hanging upside down off their chair.  No, the majority of teachers don't like those kinds of kids because they distract the visual learners.  Schools are not set up for kinesthetic learners, they are set up for audio and/or visual learners.  R would be at a severe disadvantage in public school.  She has special needs.

How do I address these issues?  We do "Salon School."  Doing something rote and routine like brushing hair or putting in barrettes calms her and she listens and comprehends much better.  So, when we have books that I need to read long passages aloud, we switch over to salon school.  She is also allowed to do her reading aloud however she wishes.  Sometimes that's walking around, sometimes it's upside down, sometimes it's in the kitchen with me while I'm making lunch.  Whatever helps her.  

My son and younger daughter will have their own idiosynchrasies that I will be able to tailor my teaching around.  We have already decided that my son won't even start Pre-K until he's at least 5.  He's much too happy just being a busy boy and has no real interest in formal learning.  But he's a sharp kid.  He knows a lot of his presi-sitions (prepositions) from listening to his sister.  He can say a lot of her Bible verses, he knows his colors and can count well.  All from no formal learning.  So I'm not worried about getting him started too early.  He's fine just being a boy.

All this to say:  Look at your child for the unique being that s/he is.  Appreciate those special things that make them tick and cater to them.  Allow your child to learn to learn the way that s/he was designed instead of forcing them to learn the way the school was designed to teach.  Look at your child in a different light, even if they are doing well in a traditional school setting.  Give them tools to help them learn better.

All children have special needs.  Every single one of them was created unique and beautiful by a loving God, who wanted you to appreciate His handiwork.  Because most of the time, those unique things weren't just created for your child, they were created to help you grow.