In April, we appreciate children with autism; we should appreciate all special needs kids all year long. Working with special needs children is one of the most rewarding opportunities I experienced.
My experience with working with special needs children
I am 16 years old, from Colonia, New Jersey. I had many wonderful experiences in my life. For example, going to the Jersey shore, going to see Ed Sheeran in Brooklyn, going to watch the Brooklyn Nets win a game, and etc. Nothing compares volunteering with special needs children.
My mom is a school psychologist who helps kids with disabilities. I was taught from an early age that having a disability makes the person unique which is wonderful. Because I grew up with two cousins who have special needs, I had experience with helping children who has disabilities from an early age.
My middle school, Colonia Middle School, had a class called Friday Friends that is only open to eighth grade. In Friday’s Friends, students visit five special needs classes where they help and play with the kids. I was fortunate to be apart of this class. Friday Friends was my favorite class, I loved that class so much. I was so happy to make a differences in kids life. When I graduated eighth grade I was sad to leave Friday Friends. Working with those kids always put a smile on my face. I was going through a hard time, and just working with them made my whole day better.
In the summer, I am fortunate to volunteer at a summer camp called PACE with the Friday Friends. In the camp, I play with kids of all ages and each kid has an unique disability. My favorite is to work with the kindergartners or first grade.
Positive way to live your life
When I was in ninth grade I didn’t have Friday Friends has a class anymore. Working with the kids made me feel like I wasn’t useless. That I was making a difference rather than watching Netflix 24/7. Then one day Gabby Spasa, volunteer, was telling me she volunteers at the Special Olympics for swimming. I asked if they are looking for new volunteers and lucky they were.
Special Olympic swimmer, Tabitha Turnage, swimming butterfly at the 2012 Mississippi Special Olympics.
Now, every Wednesday and Friday, I volunteer for a team called the New Jersey Waves were I help kids on their strokes and dives. It is very rewarding working with those kids. Volunteering for special needs is such a positive experience.
Some people underestimate of how amazing children with disabilities are. Almost everyone of them has a unique ability that makes them great. Many of the kids I work with are some of the smartest people I have ever met or the best artists.
Facts about special needs children
Especially important, the most common learning disability is autism. According to http://specialneedsplanning.net/statistics/, autism affects 1 in every 88 children. Autism is a disorder that impacts the nervous system. Autism usually makes the person have a very difficult time to communicate and interact. According to https://autismsciencefoundation.org/what-is-autism/, autism is 4.5 times more likely to affect boys than girls. Sadly, there is no cure for autism.
Down syndrome is a common disability. According to https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome/data.html, every year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome. That is about 1 in every 700 babies born. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Sadly there is no cure for down syndrome.
Qualities that make a great volunteer
To volunteer to work with special needs people, you would need to be very patient person. Other qualities a person volunteering should have is the willing to repeat themselves numerous times. Some kids need to be constantly reminded.
Next, there are different rules for each person. If someone who runs away quick and easily you would need to hold their hand. Also, some kids just like when you hold their hand it makes them feel that they have someone. However, if a child has autism you don’t touch them. If you touch them they will freak out.
Next, you can not have anger issues. Each child are trying their best and doesn’t help if you are screaming in their face. Talking in a calm voice will ease the kids and won’t make them freak out. Also talking and joking with the kids makes them smile and makes volunteering fun. For example, when I volunteer, I do knock knock jokes with some of the kids to make them laugh.
In addition, everyone has a bad day. Many of the children I work with have fits. A volunteer needs to be able to calm down a child whose throwing a fit. Some phases will help children understand the problem. For example, if you say, “don’t you want to be a good girl/boy.” Using that phases will help them understand that throwing a fit during an activity is not okay.
How to get involved
Anyone can volunteer. If swimming isn’t your passion then their’s other sports you can volunteer for. A good way to volunteer is to join Buddy Ball in Woodbridge, New Jersey. It’s a free program that you can be involved in soccer, basketball, baseball, swimming, and baseball. Buddy Ball is always looking for volunteers and it’s a great way to be involved.
Keeping eyes on the prize, Special Olympic medals that you revived after your race.
SNAP, Special Needs Athletic Programs, located in Morristown has “kids helping kids” as its motto. After a two hour disability and awareness training, volunteers might assist with a sports clinic, art clinics, or jazzy motion and movement clinic. They also have a unique program called In-Home Buddy where a volunteer is personally matched with a special needs child. With parents home, the In-Home buddy would provide companionship at the child’s home.
Colonia High’s Interact Club hosts a monthly Hand-In-Hand Dance, where special needs adults dance, sing and craft with student volunteers. See Mrs. Brennan, special education teacher at Colonia High School, for more information.
Consider volunteering to work with special needs people so you can feel the intrinsic rewards. If you are not ready to drive in right away or ready for a monthly or weekly commitment, join Ms. Davison, Ms. Motola and the #CHSSPEAKS team on Sunday, May 6th from 11 AM to 2 PM as they raise money for POAC by doing their Autism Walk at the Matthew Jago School in Seawaren, New Jersey. The money raised goes towards “programs like free training for parents and educators, free recreational and support services to children and adults with autism and their families, and free training for police and first responders are making a true and lasting impact.” Start making a difference today.
