When inclusion works: my hope for the rest of 3rd grade
This past break, I went over my posts from 2018, and read the article I wrote at the beginning of the year. In it, I begged parents to teach their children to be kind as I wrote about the importance of inclusion.
I was filled with worry and trepidation as Ashlynn started third grade.
Last year in second had been one of her worst years with peers and friendships. She frequently came home with bloodied shirts from her picking her fingernails. Many times, the nurse had to change her shirt it was so bad. She always reported that she hadn’t played with anyone at recess and my heart broke for her nearly everyday. In second grade, she was also bullied in the bathroom but thankfully some other students heard and told the teacher. Fresh off the heels of a great summer, I worried to see her go back to school again.
This year though in third grade, has been one of her best years for growth not only academically, but also with friends and feeling like she was part of the class.
The teacher told me at parent/teacher conference in November that she had told her class if they see Ashlynn sitting alone to go grab her and include her because many times it’s not that she doesn’t want to play; but rather that she has a hard time jumping into a situation. The teacher went on to explain the kids initially did it because they were instructed to, but as they got to know her they now do it because they wanted to.
Every year before winter break, 3rd grade throws a Luau party to add some fun and a twist to a normal Winter celebration. I volunteered to run a craft with the class. I couldn’t believe what I saw when I got there. Ashlynn was completely assimilated into the classroom as one of the kids, and not the “special ed kid” or the “ILC kid.”
As she talked to her friends I thought of her speech therapy. As she navigated the limbo stick like any of the other classmates I thought of her work in occupational and physical therapy. Her special education teacher wrapped up her current progress monitoring showing how she had rocked her goals because she knew it would be the best Christmas present to see all of her success and she was right.
As she completed some seat work independently I thought of her TA who understands the difference between enabling and helping.
This is how inclusion is supposed to look. Every human whether they have differences or not all want the same thing. They want to feel useful, included, and loved. Her smile says it all.
Honestly I didn’t need any Christmas presents this year. My cup was overflowing. I just pray as Winter Break is over and she heads back to school, that the second semester will be as amazing as the first.
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