Welcoming Special Needs In The South Asian Community

Almost a sideshow to his production, I stand at the front of the classroom, talking to my students about why we have to be kind to our neighbors. I stare back at a sea of expectant faces and move on with the lesson. The kids, and Omar surprisingly continue to give me their attention.

When sharing a classroom environment with their special needs peers, students are forced to challenge the ideals they may learn at home thus allowing our weekend school to truly broaden horizons for everyone in attendance.

I teach at a weekend school. Every Sunday, upwards of 100 students come to learn the basics of religion and spend time with their peers of similar age, creed, and faith.

Omar is a student who is autistic. Every Sunday, just like me, he wakes up earlier than one should on a weekend and gets dressed. He packs his things and comes to the same weekend facility as I do. He walks the same halls I once did, surrounded by faces that have now become familiar.

Omar, to me, is a maverick. Our small administration and team of teachers and volunteers have grown with Omar and have learned a great deal from him, as well. As a predominantly desi institution, our weekend school is filled with bright youngsters, often dressed in even brighter cultural garb. The kids and their parents populate our halls, but Omar was the first student with special needs to be admitted to our school.

The “brown community” is known for many things: it’s output of highly productive and intelligent adults that populate the highest and most respected fields in this country, for its vibrant and colorful culture, our amazing foods and distinctive traditions.

Omar, however, was met with purposeful intent and the will of devoted teachers and volunteers. They worked tirelessly to create a space where he could grow and enrich his mind. The children accepted him, and that allowed for him to learn in an environment where he was comfortable. The chemistry of the classroom was changed for the better as students become more empathetic and are more willing to help out their peers. They begin to view themselves as a team, as someone who has witnessed this classroom morph I can say wholeheartedly that is an enlightening experience to be a part of.

Omar was the first of many. Our weekend school became home to several students with special needs and their families. It became a place where families could simply be amongst their own and find support.

The concept of community is essential to immigrant families. It’s with our community and ones of our own creed that we try to foster connections that remind us of home. It’s with our community that we share moments of tradition that span generations. It’s with our community that we have to look for solace.

As young adults of the brown community, some of us are still in school, while others may be married and with our own families. It’s up to us to institute a paradigm shift towards the way we view special needs and give these individuals support. The effort of all is essential to our new collaborative to improve the lives of some.

Now, there are many students like Omar who come in with their aids or parents. Our weekend school was the first to accept and welcome special needs students. We worked tirelessly to accommodate them, and because of that, several other weekend schools across the state have become open and welcoming places for families of all types.

Stigma surrounding special needs in the brown community is one that can be overcome with true dedication and collaboration as seen our weekend school.In a world where education is the greatest enabler, I think that every single child is entitled to their own educational pursuit free from judgement and societal barriers.

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