Voices of experience: My first experience with full inclusionThe first time I had a child with a severe disability in my preschool class was about twenty years ago. Talk about unprepared. His mom wheeled him into the classroom and a million things went through my mind, "I hope I don't hurt him. God, he looks like a freak. I'm such a horrible person. I can't believe I thought that about a three-year-old! I hope his mom can't guess what I'm thinking. I hope he doesn't think I don't like him."
His name was Derrick and he was very small for his age. What really set him apart was the head apparatus. He had some kind of brain surgery and had to wear something that looked like a torture device - a metal halo around his head that had what looked like clamps going straight into his head.
I included this story to let new teachers know that you are not an awful person if you are really uncomfortable the first time you have a child with a severe disability in your class. It is human nature to feel anxious in a situation that is completely unfamiliar to you. I also wanted you all to know that it really is true that, with willingness to learn and an open mind it will all work out.Derrick's mom was great. She spent half an hour the first day talking about his operations, his personality and just getting me to see him as a person. As for Derrick - he was a really smart little kid. As his mom said, he couldn't walk or do much physically his first few years so he seemed to focus all his energy on learning to talk.
After the first day, Derrick was pretty much a leader in the class. He couldn't move around very well, but since he was so advanced in language he could often say what the other children wanted or were thinking. He very much was interested in three-year-old things like snack time and play-dough. Before long, some of the other children would go over to Derrick, tug on his arm and point, indicating what they wanted, and he would say to one of the teachers, in a bossy little voice, "Megan is out of juice and would like some more, please."
The school year didn't go completely problem-free. Remember, this was before many of the laws that exist today giving children with disabilities the right to be in early childhood programs. About half-way through the year, a new girl, Paula, joined the class. Most of the children had been a little nervous of Derrick at first, but within a day or two, he was just a part of the class to them and they paid him no more or less attention than anyone else. Paula was different. She acted as if Derrick was the creature from a horror movie, shaking any time he was near her and staring at him in disgust. Everyone, including Derrick, knew he looked very strange to people who didn't know him, and we figured with time she would get used to him, but she didn't. If Derrick made an effort to talk with her, she acted as if Frankenstein's monster was trying to kiss her. After a short while, he gave up. I decided I should have a talk with Paula's mother.
