When people hear the term "special kids," mentally disabled, not all there or maybe even the "R" word probably comes to mind. I was given the opportunity to build a relationship with and help teach a small class of Autistic kids for two years while in high school. These 12 kids taught me so much more than I was ever capable of teaching them.
Compassion
Being with kids that didn't understand learning, who weren't able to speak, or those who screamed for 30 minutes straight taught me an entirely new level of compassion. I learned to take time and communicate with the child who screamed and cried, he couldn't control it. I learned to understand the motions of the kid who couldn't speak, I took the time to understand what he wanted. I learned to sit and help teach the kid who wasn't capable of reading the numbers on the flashcards, all he needed was for someone to take the time to sit with him. I learned that the math test that I failed the class before wasn't a big deal compared to the child who wasn't able to communicate how he was feeling. Compassion is a strong emotion and it is an emotion that needs to be expressed in all areas of life.
Encouragement
I learned that every ounce of encouragement I gave to these kids meant everything. Just to sit and say, "You are being such a good boy today!", "I'm so happy you're staying on green!" or, "You know this number I know you do!" can turn a bad day a little bit better. For someone to tell them these little things lit a small spark that wouldn't fade away. This taught me that people in my everyday life need encouragement as well. Just to say, "Hey girl, you look really cute today" to that girl in the hall way can turn her day around in an instant.
Gratitude
I take things such as being a fast learner, being able to read, and even speak for granted. I learned to appreciate the voice I was given, some kids don't even have that much. I learned to appreciate the healthy body I was given because many special needs kids also have GI, and many other mental health problems. I learned to appreciate little things in my life like driving my sister to school, because some of them would never come close to getting a license.
Flexibility
Working with these children you sometimes never know what will happen next. I learned to be flexible in all areas of my life. We could go from a good day watching Thomas the Train, to a destroy-the-room-meltdown in .5 seconds. I learned that when life tosses you those meltdowns you have to take the time to reroute them while quickly thinking about how you're going to calm the situation.
Patience
Before this experience I would get angry if I had to wait more than five minutes at a drive through. My view on that has now changed immensely. When a kid would scream and yell I would patiently sit there and tell them to calm down for 10 minutes before they would even begin to listen. If they wanted to come up and ask me 10 million questions I would have to sit and answer every single one with the biggest look of interest on my face. I can now wait at least 20 minutes at a drive through before getting legitimately mad.
With this being said I would encourage anyone and everyone who has the opportunity to work with Special Needs kids to take it. It opened my eyes and taught me many characteristics I often take for granted. I also fell in love with and formed an emotional attachment to all 12 of them... but that was just a bonus.
