From the Desk of
Richard J. Robison, Executive Director

Summer 2002

The Special Kids Down the Hall

A third grade teacher recently responded to her students' curiosity about the "special" kids down the hall. Before she offered any explanations, she asked them what they knew and didn't know about their neighbors.

Things we know about "special" kids:

They look inside the gym,
They bother people and move around too much,
They don't act like us,
They act funny,
They have funny-shaped heads,
They do "inappropriate" stuff,
They eat noodles,
They walk in the street,
They wear helmets,
They don't talk too well,
They are not smart,
They sit at different tables at lunch,
They pick their nose,
They put fingers in their mouth,
They play with food,
They eat with their mouth open,
They're weird,
They spit,
Giggle too much,
Speak Spanish,
Make noise,
Have different teachers than us.

Things we don't know about special kids:

Do they have friends?
Do they learn a lot?
Do they like to play?
Do they like lunch food?
Do they have eye problems?
Why do they act a little crazy?
Do they treat others the way they want to be treated?
Are they friendly?
What do they do in class?
Do they like to be mean?
Why do they drool?
Do they get recess?
What do they like to do at recess?
Does their family act like them?
Were they born "like that"?
Where do they live?
Do they play normally?
Do they have weak bodies?
Can they ride bikes?
Can they control themselves?
What are their names?

The teacher's response was to invite her friend's daughter to speak with her class. This young woman has been actively involved in her community high school and will graduate this year, works in a childcare center, and has Down syndrome. She spoke with the class about her love of music, S Club 7, her participation in the high school drama club, the plays she's been in, and even demonstrated some of her latest dance moves.

Afterwards, the children had a chance to ask their visitor questions and learned that she could ride a bike, use a scooter and a skateboard. The thank you cards they sent revealed the important lessons they had learned. They told her she was a good story teller and a lovely dancer, was very talented, that "she rocked," they liked her style, loved the way she talked, and also liked S Club 7. One student in particular realized she had a lot in common because she is blind in one eye, has a vision teacher and needs to use a magnifying glass. Mostly, they appreciated her visit and thanked her for coming to their class, would always remember her, and be respectful to her.

Now that these 3rd graders have a better understanding of one person, hopefully they can increase their understanding of all individuals with special needs by simply walking down the hall, opening doors, and extending invitations for those students to come visit with them as well. We've come a long way down the road to understanding and acceptance, and sometimes that road starts with a short walk down the hall.

Dr. Richard J. Robison

became Executive Director of the Federation in April of 1997. Dr. Robison has over 20 years experience with the management of nonprofit volunteer organizations as well as six years experience in state government as a senior policy analyst to the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation. The parent of three children, two of whom have Down syndrome, he is knowledgeable in a broad range of relevant content areas. He was appointed to serve a second 3-year term on the State Advisory Council for special education required under IDEA, is an elected member of the Sudbury, Massachusetts, School Board, serves on the AAUAP Consumer Affairs Council, and in Spring 1997, he was appointed by Secretary of Education Richard Riley to serve on the Goals 2000 “America Goes Back to School” Steering Committee.