I am a single Mom with multiple disabilities who utilizes a service dog. I am also a disability and service dog educator; I travel the country with my service dogs, teaching about the wondeful benefits that service dogs provide for their partners with disabilties. It truly amazes me how
few parents take the time to teach their kids about people who are differently abled. It's never to late or too early to teach disability awareness! My own daughter told a passerby who attempted to pet my service dog, Dawson one day, "Dawson is a service dog, you mustn't pet him while he's working"...she was two at the time. Age appropriate education and refreshers are very important to teach our children. Today's children are our future; teaching them tolerance of those who are differently abled now ensures a more accepting society in years to come.
I'd like to share a few disability awareness tips that you can share with your child, and open lines of communication.
1. Take a quiet moment at home to sit down and talk with your child about people who may be different from him/her. Let your child know that while people come in all shapes, colors, abilities and sizes; and while we may look, sound, or do things differently; inside, we are all very much the same. Use specific examples, and positive language while keeping conversation open to questions.
2. Let your child know that canes, wheelchairs, walkers, assistance dogs, and other medical assitive devices are an extension of the person with disabilities, and should not be tampered with, played with, or talked about (taking the time to teach your child about differences at home can prevent a potentially embarrasing outburst in public--and remember, you won't be the only one to be embarrased if your child yells out, "Hey Mommy, LOOK, there's a dog in the store!" ... as a service dog handler, this type of unwanted attention can be quite embarrasing).Please keep in mind, though, that all the preparation in the world may not sensor the excitement of a child seeing a dog in a store for the first time! I hear so many parents who are abhorred by their child's outburst regarding my service dog, shushing thier child; "Shhh! We don't talk about that like that!" At that moment, the damage is done; take the golden opportunity to stop whatever you are doing and get down on your child's level. Explain that that person has a dog in the store because the dog is specially trained to help the person. ***Keep in mind that not all disabilities are visable (I'm a case in point, I have a traumatic brain injury & MS; there are many days when a stranger would not know that I have a disability because I "look" fine; when in reality, I may be struggling with cognitive dysfunction or in a world of pain that exhausts me.)
3. On the subject of service animals; be sure to let your child know that no matter how cute a dog may be, when he/she is in public, they are working and should not be disturbed. Teach them to be quiet and not make sudden movements around a dog, explaining that the dog is there to do a job, and if it gets distracted, the person they are supposed to be assisting could be hurt. If your child is afraid of dogs, be sure to explain to them that assistance dogs are specially selected and trained to be calm, friendly and safe around the public; and all of them have been tested around children and will not bite.
4. Encourage your child to include other children who may be lonely because of their disabilities to play. If the child can not play the same as other kids, come up with innovate ways to accomodate the child's challenges.
5. When talking to a person with disabilities who may have speech or hearing impairments, talk normally, and face the person to make lip reading possible.
6. Lead by example! Be sure to check yourself the next time you encounter a person with disabilities in public. I never realized it before being wheelchair bound myself, but people tend to ignore you; act as though you aren't even there, even if you speak directly to them. People are uncomfortable around what they conceive as "different." By viewing PWD as feeling, caring individuals, focused on their Abilities not dis abilities; you will be setting a great example of tolerance for your child.
7. Teach the golden rule; Treat others the way you would want to be treated--you can never go wrong by doing that. ;-)
I hope this information has been helpful. There is such a huge need for parents to teach their kids these simple, yet very important tips! Often, we get so busy and don't even think about these issues until they crop up. On behalf of all PWD, please take your child aside and teach them disability awareness. If anyone has any questions regarding this information, information regarding service dogs, or comments, please feel free to contact me.
(December 2007) (
