As our kids have now gone back to school, I would like to talk about something that has been on my heart.

Inclusion.

I am not talking about the fact that “technically” John William has a desk in the regular classroom.

Inclusion goes way beyond his mere physical presence in the classroom.

Are his needs being thought about when daily lesson plans are structured?  Are different, ever-evolving learning methods being used?  Are a series of trial and error strategies being tried for motivation?  Are fellow students encouraged to interact with him?  Is he a VALUABLE member of the class?  Is he truly viewed as a regular, general education student or is he deemed special education’s sole responsibility?

I know that everybody LOVES John William.  He is impossible not to love.

But it is more that just smiling, or waving, or giving him a high five when you see him.

Are you taking the time to TRULY get to know him?

This year he is in the fifth grade.  Since Kindergarten, do you know how many birthday parties of his classmates that he has been invited to?

One.

No, that is not a typo.  He has only been invited to ONE birthday party in the past five years.

Do you know how many birthday parties of a fellow BOY classmate he has been invited to?

Zero.

Does that break my heart?

ABSOLUTELY!

He attends our neighborhood school and we live on a street filled with children his age.  They play outside and ride their bikes and scooters in the afternoons.  They play basketball in the driveway.  They run from house to house, knocking on doors to see who can come out and play.

But no one ever knocks on our door to invite John William to play.

And guess what?  John William has a bike.  And a scooter.  And he LOVES to play basketball.

I am not writing this to criticize or receive pity.  Rather, I am writing this to bring awareness.  To evoke change.  To advocate.  As any mother would.

If your child has expressed  an interest in wanting to play with John William, but is a bit unsure of how to go about it…

Ask me.

If your child wants to develop a friendship with John William, but doesn’t know where to begin…

Ask me.

Parents, if it has been on your heart to include John William but you just don’t know how…

Ask me.

My ears are open.  My door is open,  My heart is open.

It is our job as adults to model and foster true acceptance.  It is our job to hep them see past the differences to what is on the inside.  Encourage your children to push beyond just saying hello to John William.  It can start as a conversation at lunch or a game of tag on the playground.  Then urge your child to take it a step further and prompt a play date or some activity outside of school.

John William is just like any other fifth grader.

And he has so many gifts to offer in a friendship.  So please, give him the simple gift of being included.

Stepping out of our comfort zone is difficult.  The fear of the unknown might make us feel uneasy, at first.  But I promise you, what you give to John William, he will return in immeasurable ways.

When we make the effort to include and welcome others who are different from ourselves, we are ALL better for it.