Hellobee Boards

I want to read along because LO isn't talking enough to ask those sorts of questions yet but I want to make sure that I have thoughtful answers for him.

I try to answer truthfully and factually, but age-appropriate (so how you responded is probably something I would say). I think kids are honestly curious at that age, especially when they see something unusual/different than they are used to. They don't think it's a bad thing, and how we react pushes them in one direction or another.

I think your response was perfectly appropriate.

As a mom of a child with special needs, my opinion is that it's best to:

- answer the question directly without passing judgement (not, oh how sad, she can't walk like us)
- if you don't know the answer, state that you're not sure (what the device is/why the person is acting that way)

if the person (or parent of the person) catches your eye, I would smile and try to gauge their interest in engaging your child directly. I always try to be as open as possible with inquisitive kids - special needs are nothing to be ashamed of or hidden, in my opinion.

If the person is far away or appears uninterested in engaging with you, I would continue to try to answer the questions as objectively as possible, possibly ending with "everyone is different, everyone has different bodies that can do different things!" or some other kind of neutral statement.

I don't think it's a bad thing if she heard, I think what you did was exactly right. My dad has told me a story about when I was little and asked really loudly, "why is that man in a chair?" about someone using a wheelchair on the elevator we were on. My dad said in a normal tone of voice, "well, he uses the wheelchair to help him get around," and the guy actually spoke up and said, "I'm glad you explained it so freely. So many people just shush their kids and that makes me feel more awkward."

@jedeve: "let's go talk to her and find out!"

And if that won't work in the moment, I'll explain what the basic gist is and encourage them to learn more about it. At this point they are very interested in disabilities.

@jedeve: I'm not sure how old your little one is... but my son is almost 4 and has just started asking if food has soy (his allergen) in it. They learn so quickly.

As for special needs, I think your answer was perfect. Anything that makes it more "normal". My son has always been at inclusion schools and we have never had a question I think because to him is normal. And we never set out to put him in inclusion schools but that is what was available to us.

@sarac: I try to do the same. My son is fascinated by motorized wheelchairs and has asked very loudly "what is that" when he sees them. I've always told him that some people just need a little help getting around because their legs are sick or aren't strong enough.