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Do You Like Me?
Encourage Social Inclusion for Preteens with Special Needs
By Teri Brown
10. Search for funding that will support the social inclusion of your child.
Children with significant disabilities often need supports in order to take part in community-based programs that can provide the context for the development of social relationships. In some cases these can be provided by the organization or parents. In others, it is better for a professional to provide such supports. Many families now have available flexible funding to support their child with a disability and can draw on this funding for such support. Check with your county social services organization for information.
11. Make it a point to get to know other families in your area/neighborhood.
Children often develop friendships because their parents are friends and they are brought together on numerous occasions because the adults in their lives are interacting. The additional care-giving demands of raising a child with a disability, however, often make it difficult for parents to lead active social lives. Parents need to consider continuing to stay active in the community not only to develop supports for themselves but also as a strategy to bring together their child with peers.
1. Don't force your child on others or others on your child.
Given all of the research that has been undertaken on the development of friendships, we still don't know for certain what makes some people "click together" and become friends and others not. Friendships need to be based upon mutual choice whether they are between people with or without disabilities.
2. Don't over-prtect your child.
