Lessons in Inclusion and Compassion from Special Education

Children with special needs can teach us a lot about paying attention, having patience, and demonstrating understanding. We are speaking with Andy, who has spent his career working with children with behavioral health challenges, and he shares his wisdom that can apply for all children and parents (plus, he’s Amy’s significant other, so we can hear him spill the tea!) Grab a cup of chai (or coffee or tea) and join us. In this episode, we discuss:

• Welcoming Andy
• Amy’s annoying habits
• The personalities of Amy and Andy’s doggies
• Defining special needs 
• How to approach labels and language matter 
• “Once you know better, you gotta do better”
• Systematic changes needed in special education
• Preparing our kids for “real life”
• The Importance of being allowed to fail
• The skills for teaching special education apply to all
• You can’t put kids in a box
• Andy takes a break, hilarity ensues
• “One of the best things a school can do, is expose you to people who are not like you”
• A story of discrimination from another parent
• The critical need for inclusion, and how poor planning can backfire
• “I love those kids”
• Advice for parents with special needs
• Change has to start from the top-down
• What COVID-19 has shown us about education
• Cute lovey dovey talk with Amy and Andy

Find us at justchai.podbean.com

Friendly disclaimer: This podcast and its hosts are not endorsing any of brand names you may hear. Any product names mentioned are simply to add fun, lively color for the conversation. Opinions reflected are our own.