Contributed INCLUSION — Mindy Aleksiejczyk, left, and Alycia Clark, mothers of children with special needs, capped off National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month for March by addressing fifth- and sixth-graders at Indian Creek Middle School.

MINGO JUNCTION — Indian Creek Middle School students learned the importance of inclusion during a special presentation.

The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities capped off its speaker series for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with a discussion on kindness and understanding when it comes to disabilities under the theme “Building A Community: Listen and Learn.” Mindy Aleksiejczyk and Alycia Clark, both mothers of special needs children, addressed fifth- and sixth-graders in the cafetorium about their sons and also highlighted differences in a book entitled, “The ABC’s of Inclusion.”

Cookie West, community navigator for JCBDD, explained that she assists students with disabilities as they navigate their way into adulthood. West added that ICMS was among the schools that participated in past activities and were winners in the “Through Our Eyes” art contest that promotes awareness in March for National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

“We’re here sharing with students about their role in making a more inclusive community and being more understanding of others’ needs and abilities. It’s important to connect with students face to face and share and also here from the students. We are to listen and learn from them as well,” she commented.

Aleksiejczyk and Clark, whose sons attend the School of Bright Promise, are founding members of Special Connections, an organization that hosts informational events as well as activities for children and adults with disabilities as well as their families. The women donned orange shirts signifying unity and inclusion, plus they distributed orange wristbands inscribed with “Unified” and “Side by Side” with the audience and shared their stories as well as some of those within the book. “The ABC’s of Inclusion,” which was penned by Beth Leipholtz, includes characters with autism, Down syndrome and more. Both Aleksiejczyk and Clark also shared details how their children also have interests in sports, music and other commonality with the rest of us.

Aleksiejczyk, who serves as board vice president of JCBDD and created the Special Needs Parents Support in the Ohio Valley Facebook page, said her eight-year-old son, T.J., was developmentally delayed and in a wheelchair. She said while he is nonverbal and has seizures, he enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and other music and loves to be among people.

“He makes friends and they help push him in his wheelchair, and he really enjoys it,” she added.

She read from the book, which included a prologue on how people with differences could also have similarities.

“We live in a big world and not every person is the same,” she read. “Sometimes when you meet a new friend, you might notice they are different from you. When we take the time to learn about our differences, we might find some special ways that we are the same.”

Aleksiejczyk said the purpose of the visit was for students to learn about other differences and being kind.

Clark, whose son, Oliver, is a third-grader, has autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“My son carries iPads and one is a speaking device. Since he can’t verbalize, he can tell his name (with the device.) We’re really excited that he’s starting to pick up a little bit more,” Clark added.

Students were asked to select a letter of the alphabet which represented the name of a book character and explained their different abilities. Several included Emma, a girl with cerebral palsy who loved to read; Jacob, who was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder; and Arthur, who was born prematurely and was blind but learned how to navigate through the world.

“A lot of times when someone is visually impaired, they hear a lot better and other senses improve. Maybe they can help us and we can help them too,” Aleksiejczyk said. “If a child who can’t speak can use a device, it doesn’t mean they are not smart and can’t hear you. These kids work hard to improve on their challenges and are very smart.”

During the discussion, students agreed that the best way to help is to teach the world to be kind. ICMS Principal Holly Minch-Hick said that people shouldn’t be another challenge to those with special needs; rather, they should be helpers.

“Things we take for granted every single day (are what) kids have to work for. We should be buddies, not bullies. We want to help people,” she noted. “Part of this is developing awareness that everybody is different, everybody is special and everybody needs help in some way shape or form.”

Following a brief question-and-answer session, West reminded students that before speaking to others with special needs, they should think about the words they use, alluding to an acronym for being truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind.

“We wanted to plant seeds so you would have information about being accepting and responsible young people in your school and your community,” she concluded.

Several pupils on hand said they learned a lot from the assembly.

“Disability doesn’t mean you can’t do things anybody else can,” said sixth-grader Samantha Gaffney. “I learned a lot about disabilities and being kind.”

“I’ve learned it’s really helpful to include people with disabilities and make them a part of a group of friends,” added sixth-grader Annabelle Petrella.

“Because someone has disabilities it doesn’t mean you should treat them any differently,” said sixth-grader Marin Barcalow.