Not all children are alike as our fingers differ from their sizes and forms.  Not only that each finger has its own role to make a hand functional but each serves for the wholeness of the hand.

Just like our fingers, special children and slow learners have special places in this world.  It is not an easy role to mother or father such children with limitations or below ordinary abilities.  It is definitely a challenge.

Special children and slow learners are oftentimes treated differently by others.  They are not treated well or fair by other children and even by adults because they are not like most of the children.   Prejudice oftentimes set in and these children are ostracized.

If you are a parent to one special child or a slow learner, consider the following to make the world a better place for your child:

1.     Understand what the child has been going through.  Put yourself in his or her shoes.  Bear in mind that the child did not choose the condition, or that he or she did not choose to be born like that.

2.     Respect them as you respect other normal children but do not spoil them.  Doing so will just aggravate his or her condition.  Giving more and giving less than what should be is just the same because it could aggravate the condition.

3.     If you cannot truly accept the child, or if the situation is really difficult for you, it is better that the child be far from you.  Let someone take care of him or her, until such time you are able to accept the truth.  Your lack of sympathy will make matters worse.

4.     As the parent, do not mock or ridicule or laugh at your child except when he or she really intends to make you laugh.  It is your role to be the first to appreciate.

5.     Show the special child or the slow learner that you are also interested in what they do, or in their little achievements.  This could help them develop their confidence.

6.     Make some research on the child’s condition.  You will discover that you also have some of their traits which are manifested in some other forms because of their condition.

Just like how our fingers may not look like that of a goddess but are accepted because they are part of what we are, or that they are part of how we are defined as a person, the special child or the slow learner also define their parent.  How they are treated spells the kind of parent that they have.