Special seems to be the hardest word.

There are some things a teacher hates to deal with; miss planning, forgetting items, bad weather, gossipy teachers. Yet the worst is giving parents the bad news. The news that their child is showing signs of mental or physical disability.
As a parent we all want to believe that the gift we've been given is going to come out perfect and round and with a little help from us- they'll be ready to face the world and change history.
Some of us got pregnant quickly/ surprisingly (pick whichever works for you) and some of us had to wait years and bank accounts to get the prize at the bottom of the crackerjack box. However long the wait; the babies are all here.. whatever way they got here- they're here.
For teachers involved with early learning- detection is what we do all the time. Listening to their words- how they form sentences and how the words sound. How quick are they to fly off the handle or become louder and more excited? Given the problem- how easily can they solve it.. or do they solve it at all?
There is nothing more heart breaking than bringing up the painful subject of testing for a diagnosis. So many parents become angry and offended that we'd even think that they're precious child is ANY thing but perfect. Yet when the youngster is nowhere near the milestones they should be achieving- there are some things you just can't ignore. We as teachers don't come to this conclusion easily or with joy. None of us like to see that a child is stumbling- none of us want to be the one who points out what may be obvious.
However- I take pride in knowing that I've suggested testing; that I went to the mat for some kid; that I saw signs and acted on them. Don't get me wrong, the parents are offended and angry- furious that the "day care teacher" thought there was something wrong with little Jr. Yet, with the issues and incidents documented and the back up of my boss- parents eventually see that I went out on the limb to discuss it with them. None of those angry parents were angry for long- the results were accepted with love and ambition; courage and hope.
I see some of those kids from time to time; when I'm out with my family. I'll see one of those few kids for whom I had to speak up louder than normal to help. You can see the tired, hopeful look of a parent dealing with more stress than they accept in reality. And the courageous, hopeful look of a child who knows more than they can express.
I find myself coming through the door at work with a sense of renew. I think of each of the children I work with as my own. Those are "My kids". Many teachers I know feel the same way. These are "our kids". We want the best for them- why else would we be teaching them. We have a love and ambition, a courage and hope for them. For each of them. For all of them.

Lesson #003
be fearless in protecting their future.