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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I don't have a special needs child, but what I've found that works for us, is to explain disabilities in a general sense.  Oh dogs can do useful things, like help rescue people, help the police and also act as guide dogs to help people who can't see .  Oh look did you notice these bumps on the elevator bumps, that's Braille, people who can't see still read using their fingers.  Oh look the hospital provides wheelchairs, people use them when they have problems walking.  I used one after I gave birth. Some people can't walk at all and they use them all the time.  That is a handicap spot, people who have a more difficult time getting to the store get to use those spaces.  There's a ramp, there's handrails, some people have trouble moving and this helps them.  Look at the interpreter (on tv), she's using sign language for people who can't hear.

I prefer to avoid specific people as examples, so far just pointing out things we see everyday is enough to get across to my kids general idea that all people are not the same and everyone has a different range of abilities.  One of my kids has a friend that has a baby sister with DS, they don't notice it now, but I will make sure to explain DS to them in more detail as time goes on.

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I hope you do this in private.  Do you have any idea how painful and uncomfortable it is listening to you do your teaching moment?  It doesn't matter if my child is with me or not, but somethings you want to tell someone to be more sensitive given the person they are talking about is right there.[/quote]

You're a nut.  I'm a NP, and it is evident that the PP is explaining these things to her kid as they see them, likely when no one else is around.  Even if you are around, how in the world is it "painful" to hear that the bumps on the elevator are braille for people who can't see?  That dogs are there to help people cross the street??  How is "uncomfortable" to hear that ramps help people who have difficulty with stairs?[/quote]

You clearly don't have to live the life of a special needs child or family member.  You get tired of hearing about it and living it 24/7.  When you get it, please let us know.[/quote]

So educate me.  Seriously.  Why is it painful to overhear an educated explanation to a child about the ways in which society attempts to assist people with disabilities?  Why should a discussion about the existence of Braille be hushed until no one is around?  Being blind/deaf/on a respirator/&lt;fill in the blank&gt; isn't shameful, and I don't think it should be treated as such.[/quote]

For some it is a constant reminder that their child is not typical and never will be.  We all have soft spots and vulnerabilities.  Haven't we all snapped at our child when he asks (for the umpteenth time) "why".  It can be like that 24/7/365/20+ years for parents of a child with a disability.  Sometimes, we just run out of patience and don't want to be the educational/teaching moment for your child because we have already had the same conversation 17 times today already and 36 times yesterday and 23 times the day before that........    Talk to us like you would anyone else.  At the swimming pool, talk about the weather, or whatever else you talk about with parents of non-SN children.[/quote]

I think we have a disconnect.  I'm not talking about asking you questions.  A PP above seemed to have a problem overhearing (in an elevator for example) and explanation about what Braille bumps are.  It's not even clear that the PP is blind.  Yes, I completely understand not wanting to BE a teaching moment, and not wanting to be asked personally about your dog/wheelchair/walker/hearing aid/whatever.  But I can't fathom being offended by OVERHEARING a teaching moment, presented in a kind manner by a parent.
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