The other day I was on the phone with a Rett dad (and personal friend) we were talking about school and our daughters and I made the comment “Even the worst day in inclusion is still better than the best day in “seclusion!” He said “ohhhhh, that is good. You should do a post on that”
I believe those words with my entire heart and soul.
Inclusion – honest to goodness FULL INCLUSION (see photo above) is nothing short of amazing…..it has been life changing for Brooklyn this year. Now, what I mean by the above statement is that inclusion is not going to be perfect every day. There are days where she did not get a good night sleep and might doze during class, there might be days that there is a substitute teacher and the schedule is just a little “off”, we might send in the wrong worksheets or not have things adapted just right, or maybe she is having a little “attitude” and will not give responses when asked (with no real reason why.) Just like every 7 year old, tough days happen! Thank goodness her aides (she has one aide in the morning and a different one in the afternoon) are getting pretty good at knowing when she is just giving them a hard time!
But, even on the worst day – when NOTHING seems to go right, with inclusion – she is with her peers, being exposed to age appropriate curriculum, she is still taking it all in and. that. is. HUGE!
I love that Brooklyn is learning to read, add, and all of that good “school stuff” but another awesome benefit of full inclusion (and possibly what I love even more) is the amazing friendships she is developing. I love seeing my daughter being pushed around the roller rink, I love receiving a text from a mom asking if her daughter could come over after school and work on homework together with Brooklyn (because her daughter has learned how to use Brooklyn’ eye gaze board – and has seen Brooklyn do homework “just like her.”) Or receiving facebook message saying “my daughter saw Brooklyn’s Furby in your facebook photo and can’t wait to get their Furby’s together!” These interactions happen because Brooklyn in in class with these girls, at lunch with these girls, and at recess bonding with these girls….and that my friends, takes INCLUSION.
I totally agree! It is heart-warming to watch Brooklyn and her friends. They talk, play games and do all the “normal stuff” (when I taught, I wouldn’t let the kids use the word stuff hahaha). I know I’ve said this before, but I am so blessed to witness these interactions! Every day someone comes up and asks questions, wanting to get to know her better……I love this! She has some pretty awesome friends! Kelly and I made individual eye gaze boards for her friends to use…..they are having fun using them and talking with Brooklyn. Kelly, you should post a picture of them!
I LOVE the graphic…a picture does truly say it all!
I miss inclusion. :0( Our experience mirrors yours exactly for all but one year when the teacher was just a poor fit for any child she didn’t believe to be potential Mensa material. We won’t even go there… But for the rest of elementary school and much of Jr. High, it was mighty wonderful!
High school has been a totally different story, and it saddens me beyond words. I wish someone would have warned me just how much harder I would need to advocate to make high school work; I would have known to work dilegently before my daughter ever set foot inside those walls. I think I allowed myself to be lulled into believing that because the elementary years were so successful, success would automatically travel into secondary school.
So do what you can now to pave the way…it IS possible to have some true inclusion in high school. I’ve seen it for other kids. I think getting her known within your district NOW, while things are working beautifully, would help. Maybe the district newsletter could feature her in a story (hint, hint) so those secondary teachers’ opinions about her potential can be shaped long before she ever gets to high school. May Brooklyn’s health be good throughout all these school years, as that has a huge impact on the school’s ability to support her as she gets older.
I love this!!!
I just wanted to let you know, I am new to the Rett Community, but ever since I have become apart of this family, I have read your blogs. I think you are a wonderful mother and your blogs are truly inspiring!! Thanks so much for posting. I actually mentioned Brooklyn in my blog this afternoon.
Much happiness, love, and joy to your beautiful family!!
Hi Kelly! I am a CCU alum (you were my admission counselor!) and I have stayed up to date with your family’s story. I am teaching a class at CCU on Educational Technology and our current chapter discusses uses for technology such as augmentative communication devices and I instantly thought of Brooklyn’s gaze board. I wanted to see if you’d be alright with me sharing some parts of your blog such as this inclusion post and the post where you share and explain Brooklyn’s board. I think it’d be wonderful for education students to hear about Brooklyn’s school experience and devices that she uses. If you’d rather not, I completely understand.
Thanks so much,
Melissa Shackle Riehle