The story of immigrants with special needs

Classrooms here are a new experience for the immigrants from India. The start is more of a scare for the parents. The concept of the child being labelled as ‘special’ is typically against the belief system back home. This is definitely considered a taboo for many immigrant families who face initial shocks in accepting these labels associated with learning difficulties and disabilities.

“When we moved from India, our son was just three years old and was ready for pre-school enrollment. He was very active at home but with strangers, he would be tight-lipped and not even communicate through a nod. Of course, language was a big hurdle since we didn’t speak English at home. In the initial observation sessions, my son was identified to have developmental delays but we believed that it was not a development problem but a language problem. When he was referred to join a special instruction class, we refused and resisted this labelling. A couple of years later when he was medically pronounced to be a special kid, we felt destroyed,” observed a parent.

Though initially shattered, parents do realise over the years that labelling is for making the special kid live the life of inclusion in the main society.

“My child had difficulty in speech — the labelling initially made us uncomfortable as many of our friends scared us that this label will remain in her record forever but the speech therapy that her school offered during regular class hours is no match,” said another.

The US education system has an inbuilt mandatory support mechanism that offers help to every child under 21 years with special needs, tailored to their individual needs. This is available to one irrespective of the immigration status. Once observed and recommended for testing, a special panel comprising the professional doctors, neurologists, psychologists, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist and counsellors would advise the parents, devise the goal and processes for the child’s education at no cost to the parents. The child is monitored and helped by this professional panel in the least restrictive environment with a yearly review of the course and evaluation of the kid’s progress periodically.

“The inclusive setting in which my child is being kept in a school environment is a lot more comfortable for us. Such facilities were not available even in London,” remarked a parent who recently moved to the US.

“My child is accepted in public spaces like parks and beaches. There is more empathy for my kid and me than sympathy,” felt another.

There are school buses that pick kids wit special needs up from their homes and the helpers on board buckle their seats and look out for their safety. Seldom does the parent have to worry about their child’s safety. The schools have nurses to aid children using a catheter or other medical needs. In certain instances, the schools are redesigned for wheelchair accessibility to accommodate a child.

There are state agencies that offer home services for training the kids for temporary behaviours and to counsel the siblings or parents when in need. The respite care program that offers services similar to babysitting with drop and pick up services give parents the much-required breathing space. For severely disabled kids who are immobile, home care services at the state’s cost are also made available under the respite care program.

Upon turning 21, such individuals could be sent to a group home setting. This would mean the child then starts to live away from home. Legal guardianship is established, which enables parents to make decisions or actions on behalf of their child. “This support service is an overwhelming experience. The first thing during the guardianship establishment is that the state appoints an attorney for the child,” shared a parent.

“It makes us feel that the child is equally the state’s responsibility. A lot of checks and balances for the services are being maintained and implemented — a comfort I never imagined was possible,” said one.

Interestingly, the state pays an allowance to eligible parents for maintaining children over 21 years at home, if they are not sent to group homes. There are food stamps given for their use. “The feeling that my son is economically productive is thus guaranteed,” said a parent.

If a child is employable, they are trained for limited employment and to get jobs as well. In aircraft or other public places like theme parks, children with special needs never have to wait in line; they are given space and treated with respect. Thereis special screening of movies for such youngsters, where they are allowed to bring their own food, watch sensory movies, run around and have fun. When on cruise ships, trained persons take care of kids with special needs so that the parents are free to enjoy their time.

The lives of immigrants are usually caught up in so many adjustments but states in the US surely treat children with disabilities and their families with ‘special’ attention!