3 Big Reasons You Want My Special Needs Child to Receive Accommodations in Your Child's Classroom

Federal regulations make it mandatory for special needs children to receive services and accommodations that can make the classroom a better learning environment for children who learn differently from their peers.  Many parents often wonder why. Here a three big reasons I think you should be happy that my child is being accommodated.

#1 By accommodating my child now, there is a better chance that she will be able to contribute later. 
We all know the direction that we have been going in. I remember hearing one commentator say,

There are more people in the cart, than there are pulling the cart.

I want my child to be helping to pull the cart.  Just like other parents, I want her to be able to work and contribute.  I don't want to resign her at 4 to being in the cart.

We are all aware of the steady increase in disabilities, including the staggering numbers on Autism.
As a society, we can not afford to not make accommodations for children now, that will enable the adults of tomorrow.

#2 My child is already no stranger to hard work.
You might think that accommodations make my child lazy, or she is lucky that she has rest breaks or an adult assistant to help her.  The truth is, she is no stranger to hard work.  Physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy are no joke.  She comes away exhausted. But again, the goal is  to bring her within reach of her typically developing peers. She will be a hard, determined worker as an adult.  She doesn't know any other way.

#3 My child being accommodated means your child or grandchild will also be accommodated.
It is very easy to be naïve and believe that your child is healthy and will never need anything special to get through.  Genetics does not discriminate.   I have met parents with children that became ill at 18.  We don't know exactly what the future holds.

So the next time we are at Family Story Time, and I have to remove my child because she is laughing inappropriately and uncontrollably because of a seizure, remember this list.  Be happy for us that we are pushing  to work beside your child instead of being pulled in the cart by your child.