Celebrating special needs children

Having a child with some kind of special need can be tough on parents physically, mentally and in many other ways.

The last thing such parents and families need is any kind of judgemental attitude from people who have no clue about the things they contend each day.

By making certain statements and giving certain looks, which may seemingly be harmless, people make it even more stressful for caregivers.

This is why it is important to stay sensitive when relating with children with special needs and their families, and not to assume that because there is no intention of harm, our actions and inactions do not matter.

Most parents typically avoid public outings with their children living with autism or attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD), for instance, because random people and even people who should know better, tend to blame them for the behaviour of their children.

Comments that seek to portray that parents are failing to discipline them well are not only annoying, but also painful, knowing that impulse and control issues are common among such children.

Children with special needs have a right to participate, and so all barriers, including such insensitive behaviour and negative attitudes must be discouraged.

Harness

To harness the potential of these children, society must show their solidarity and commitment by ensuring that they are able to access the transport systems and public buildings, such as, schools, libraries, universities, recreational centres, etc.

Their information, communication and technological needs must also be met appropriately.

Policy makers must be interested in protecting these rights, as is befitting of just societies.

Globally, as many as 16 per cent of the world’s population (one in six of us) experience significant special need, according to the World Health Data (WHO).

In Ghana, recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) reveals that eight per cent of Ghana’s population (2.4 million persons) have some form of special needs.

In 2010, data available showed that only three per cent of the population experienced such.

These rising numbers could be because of the availability of relatively more medical knowledge, and therefore, early and easier detection and management of such conditions, and advocacy.

Some people may argue that these form a small proportion of the population. But therein lies the injustice, when we fail to honour the ‘weak’ in our societies.

It is said that the ultimate test of morality of a society is how it treats its vulnerable members.

Parents and teachers must begin to appreciate how they can support all children, especially those with special needs.

Integrating the use of their five senses in our interactions with them can make them more aware of their surroundings, enhance their ability to focus and maintain attention, but more importantly, it can actually birth their natural skills, giftings, potentials, hobbies, talents etc.

A society with opportunities for their development and growth, benefits fully from each individual’s contribution.

We must begin to think deeply and accept that intelligence is not only about reading, writing and arithmetic.

There are at least eight more expressions of intelligence including musical, spatial, linguistic, naturalistic, existential, kinaesthetic, and what is related to the understanding of human emotions.

To gain maximally from the opportunities to participate, we must consider and explore this hidden potential too among persons living with special needs.

The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.

E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk