SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN: FROM EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION

When a child is born with some type of handicap or acquires one during childhood, many parents face various difficulties and seek answers to countless questions. “What is happening to my child?”;“Why is this happening to him/her and to our family?;“How can I find the best treatment for him/her?”;“How should I behave towards my child?”;“Will my child be able to attend school, have social and emotional relations, will he/she be able to work?”;“Will my child reach old age?”; “What will happen to him/her when we’re gone?” Many parents are burdened with their situation and may experience difficulties handling their child’s handicap in an appropriate way. However, many of them will soon become experts for their children’s condition. When working with special needs children, it is very important to understand that every child and every family is unique. As teachers, psychotherapists, doctors, nurses, etc., we must learn and understand everything we can about the child, and his/her handicap in order to better support, teach, treat and to make efforts for them. Parents will continue to love and accept their children just the way they are, which, of course, is the most important thing for them.Keywords: children, handicap, family