Thinking Outside the Box....or in it....

There are times that we wonder just what is going on in that little head of Malachi's. We don't really have a good grasp on what his cognitive abilities are just yet. And who knows his future will look like? It doesn't really matter though because he is wonderful just the way God made him. 

Our God makes no mistakes. 

But in our world everyone has to have a label. Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, autism, hyperactive...These are just a few of the special needs labels that children can be given. 

I suppose it's educational on some level to have a name or diagnosis for a child's special need, but I, for one, believe we should think less in terms of what someone is NOT able to do and appreciate them for what they CAN do. 

Our differences are what makes each of us a unique creation of a loving Father. 

But that's just me. 

The whole educational system is set up to label children that don't fall within the range of what some professional or group of professionals has labeled "normal." And they will start with the labels as soon as your special needs child turns three years old. That's right. Three years old. Because three years is such a long time to grow and develop in this big old world and you really ought to have learned how to do a thing or two by then. Nevermind how or where you got your start in life. 

Now if it just so happens you can't do what all the "normal" three year olds can do, well then, you're labeled "special" and you need some really intense therapy and help to become more "normal." And our big, old, sweet, government school system is just happy to provide all this help early on for you. This is all done in the name of early intervention, but I have my doubts about what the real goal is and the driving philosophy behind it. Differences aren't really appreciated when you're trying to churn out products that think alike, look alike and hold to the status quo. Not to mention, those among us who aren't "normal" often require special attention and more effort to educate. And well, that can get to be awfully burdensome and expensive.  

Our little guy IS different, and he IS special.  His needs are very real. But, so is the joy he brings. Where the rest of us see furniture, he sees percussion instruments. And where the rest of us see just a Happy Meal box,  he sees a fancy hat. He sees life through a different lens. Thanks to him, we do too.  And we are very grateful for a little perspective. 

Heather