Evaluating Impacts on Professional Practice

 

 

The ism that I have chosen is ableism. I chose this particular ism because although I am not directly affected by it, I have to deal with it because of my son who has autism. I often deal with stares and whispers. People often automatically assume that my son is an unruly child who is totally out of control. I think they do that because he looks like a typical child. Therefore, you wouldn't know that he had autism just by looking at him. I often say that this is something that is a blessing and a curse. He doesn't have to deal with people being cruel just by looking at him. However, he doesn't get the sympathy that others with physical disabilities may get. Either way, every day is a new adventure. It's one of the most difficult things that I've had to endure.

 

Because I have not yet embarked on my journey as an early childhood professional, it's hard to say exactly what things I may have to deal with from children and families when it comes to ableism. I would hope that they are understanding and accepting. Dealing with my son's varying ability has caused me to be much more sympathetic to those individuals living with varying abilities. I understand that every day can be a struggle. Therefore, I think that my personal experiences will give me the opportunity to relate to children and families with varying abilities. I definitely hope that this is something that will be embraced by children and families. One of the challenges that I may face having experienced ableism is that children and families will think that I will treat those children with varying abilities differently. I will have to assure children and families that I am there to serve all of them equally. There are simply certain accommodations and needs that children with varying abilities may have that others will not have.