He could’ve picked anyone else in the hospital to talk to, and I was happy that he chose to spend them with us.  Clueless as to how many developmental delays Ronan has, absolutely unaware of how overwhelmed things can be for me, that young boy and his mom were a highlight to our very long and taxing day.  They, like the providers we had just seen, looked beyond Ronan’s disability and focused on what he could do.  The nurses saw that Ronan could work through some of the sensory problems his exams caused and created a better outcome for the necessary testing.  The doctor realized “less is more” and also brainstormed a new plan for another exam that Ronan needed.  Throughout both the morning, and later in the afternoon, the staff encouraged Ronan and praised him for what he actually could do.  We didn’t get done all of what we hoped to do, but together, we made some progress which we’ll hope to build on the next time. 

I doubt we’ll see that young boy and his mom at our next appointment.  The hospital is quite large and must serve hundreds of patients a day.  We’ll surely see other special needs patients when we return, and I’ll hope that we’ll encounter someone just as positive and encouraging as that young boy was when we’re there.  I loved that that kid came right up to us.  His joyful spirit was exactly what I needed in that moment.  I loved that he looked well beyond Ronan’s disabilities also, something some typical children and adults are not able to. 

As I watched this young boy happily be himself, I was able to look beyond his disability.  I focused on what he was capable of doing.  Capable of making a friend.  Of having a meaningful conversation.  Of engaging someone in the moment.  Of helping me —a tired and worried mom of a non-verbal child who has complicated medical issues.  Of reminding me to be happy and hopeful.  I wanted to freeze that moment in time and share it with everyone I knew. 

Because it can be difficult to look beyond the disability, I also wanted to share something else:  some suggestions on how others can also begin to look beyond the disability and focus on the ability. 

Talk to and with a person with disabilities, even if they’re non-verbal.  They can hear you.  They can see you, too.  Your pitch, tone, and what you’re saying is registering.  So is your non-verbal communication – your facial expressions, your eye gaze, you’re stance.  They can see, hear, and feel it all.  Instead of talking at them, talk to them.  When we get to see her, one of my oldest daughter’s friends goes right up to Ronan and says, “Hi, Ronan!  How are you?” She offers him a hug, a high five, or a fist bump.  Ronan immediately responds to her greeting (with eye contact and by reaching out to high five or fist bump back).  Lately, he even tries to verbally communicate with her!  It’s still very jumbled and unintelligible, but he’s trying to say something.  I’m not surprised.  This young woman gets all of his attention because she gives him all of her attention.  You may not get a response right away with Ronan or with someone else who is non-verbal, but you may get something more important by trying - their respect. 

Show interest in what they’re doing in the moment.  If possible, ease into the activity with them.  Ask if you can have a turn.  Ronan’s not going to give you his iPad even if you ask nicely, but talk to him about what you see on his screen.  Comment about the video, the game, or the image he’s pulled up on the screen.  If you don’t get a turn, don’t be offended.  Some kids are unable yet to respond with that kind of request.  But that shouldn’t stop you from trying. 

Engage yourself.  My children have become somewhat of a magnet to other special needs kiddos because they make it known that they see them, they hear them, and that they are genuinely interested in what they are doing (and sometimes in what they are not doing).  I know that it can be incredibly uncomfortable in the beginning, especially if the person is unable to communicate, but take a chance on chiming in.  It could be as simple as offering a polite hello or a quick hand shake.  If it’s someone who needs assistance getting into or out of a building, hold the door open.  If you see someone in a scooter or a wheel chair at the grocery store that could use a hand, offer to load the groceries on the conveyer belt or in their car for them.  If a family needs extra space so that they can maneuver their child to a table in a restaurant, to a seat in the movie theatre, or through the mall, or around the park, move a seat or two over or make enough room so that they can get through without incident.  Even with all the practice and all of the opportunities we’ve created for Ronan, being out in public can still be tricky.  It can lead to some embarrassing moments, too.  The last thing I want to do when we’re all out together with Ronan is to cause a scene where more people can watch whatever is about to unfold.  Strangers who recognize that we sometimes need a wide berth, and who do so without rudely staring or muttering under their breath, are a godsend to us. 

Be positive.  In a world where individuals with disabilities are looked down upon, be the light.  Find one quality that that person has and focus on it.  Be helpful, kind, hopeful, and happy while you are with them, too.  You may be the only person who treats them as a whole person that day. 

Spread that positivity around.  Don’t just be kind because you’re capable of being kind; be kind because it’s the right thing do to.  Then, make sure your kids are kind, too.  Lead by example.  Ooze that positivity wherever you and your kids go.  It will make other people smile.  When that young boy yelled YOU’RE AWESOME to Ronan, another mom was walking into the hospital with her young teen.  The mom was rigid.  The girl was, too.  Neither of them looked happy to be there.  As the young boy’s message sailed through the air toward us, this mom slowed her pace and uncrossed her arms.  Walking past me, she said, “That was sweet,” “Yes,” I replied, “it really was.”  So was the smile that slowly started to spread across her face. 

Special needs parents and their children face many kinds of moments.  The ones that bring smiles are the best kinds.  Those happen when we, and those around us, remember to look beyond the disability.   

Cathy Jameson is a Contributing Editor for Age of Autism.