*The blog is celebrating one full year!!!
A woman recently sent out a message on Twitter that her 21 year-old autistic son had just asked his very first question. It was,”Would someone like me?” This hits home on a deep and profound level for me for so many reasons. Take a look:
We all have a need, no matter our abilities or disabilities, to connect. To be liked, cared for and appreciated. But so many people just kind of gloss over the fact that people with special needs are capable of having the same feelings that typical people do. That they can fall in love, they can be sexual, they can be good friends, they can have aspirations.
Sometimes people with special needs look different. It can be hard to get past that. Or, they may behave in a way that makes typical people feel uneasy. On edge. Because they are not used to it and they may feel like they don’t know how to respond, typical folks tend to shy away from making a deep, meaningful connection.
Society is changing and special needs folks are in the public eye and on social media more than ever. We are learning about so many of the differences that are out there. This education is making our world a better, more inclusive place that is kinder and so much more accepting. But, as a special needs parent, I still see a divide. There’s us and there’s them. The special needs camp, consisting of the atypical folks and their caregivers and families, and then, other folks, and their families. The other folks are more engaging in public than ever before, quicker to smile and say hello. But they aren’t making stronger connections as much as I would like. No parent asks if my son would like to get together with their typical child and play side by side.
My son is low functioning and gives absolutely no indication that he cares the tiniest bit about having a playmate or being included in anything. He has simple needs and likes to be by his family and that’s pretty much it. But I think about the higher functioning folks and wonder how many typical folks are trying to move beyond the social niceties that we are, just now, being offered on a more consistent basis. I ache for them, and also for their caregivers, who often also suffer from social isolation as well.
In a time where everyone, typical or atypical, is becoming more and more socially isolated, we need to reach out and work a little bit harder to connect. I want to take things a step further. Typical folks, that bit of extra effort to REALLY get to know and befriend those in the special needs community will result in some incredible people being your friends for life. I know. I’ve met them. Atypical folks and caregivers, the typical folks are starting to get it! They are starting to get us! Be patient with them, reach out and walk them through our world. Invite them in. REALLY invite them. They are scared of the unknown but once they know us, that won’t be a problem anymore.
Our special needs community has SO MUCH LOVE TO GIVE. Come connect with us.
Want more? I have released a book! It is written especially for you to uplift you as a caregiver, soothe you, help you navigate and, most importantly, help you to be OK. Take a look!