School can be a stressful environment for some kids, even more for some children who might have special needs. Many school establishments are not often well-equipped to deal with and handle these sensitive groups of kids who would definitely require more extensive and special treatment.
For children with Down Syndrome or any autistic spectrum disorder, going to school can be really challenging for both them and their families. The parents have to look for schools that can support and care for their kids’ needs and education.
Often the teachers that have special needs kids in their classes have to go through some kind of specialized training that enables them to use different teaching and communication strategies if needed, in order to make the DS (Down Syndrome) kids feel welcome in the classroom environment.
Not many educators, unfortunately, hold this kind of official qualification that renders them qualified to handle and support the kids’ presence in the classroom and their education.
Our story today is about L.J Compton, an adorable young boy with Down syndrome, who attends the Garfield Elementary School in Marion. His parents chose specifically this school because of the great interest they have shown in L.J and how tentative the stuff was.
The little boy is such a bright kid, always smiling and trying his best! However, due to his condition, he sometimes has difficulty processing his feelings and ends up being overwhelmed. In these cases, L.J needs someone to help him “go through” his intense emotional moments that could also lead occasionally to meltdowns.
So, what you will read next will definitely bring a smile to your face! It was during the school hours when L.J was having a hard time controlling his emotions, this eventually led the poor boy to have a meltdown at the school’s yard. Frustrated he finally laid down on the ground.
And then is when this man appeared, and without the slightest hesitation, he joined L.J on the ground, laying just on the opposite side of him, so he would be able to see the boy’s face and talk to him, and help him through his meltdown.
The man was no other than the school’s newly appointed assistant principal and long-time teacher, John Smith. “Mr. Smith was the best teacher,” one person wrote. “So glad he carries that with him as a principal! Such a great guy!”
Mr. Smith’s approach to L.J has definitely made an impression on the whole school and the parents. L.J’s mom Steph said, “It’s really awesome to know from a parent’s standpoint that there are people that care that much about your child”.
Let’s applaud Mr. Smith’s fast reaction and the way he managed to console little L.J and let’s hope that more educators in the future will show the same resourcefulness and flexibility as him. Special needs kids require our support, our understanding, and our patience, and if we might need to get “dirty” once in a while, they worth it!
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