Advocating for inclusion and meaningful participation_F

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Advocating for inclusion and meaningful participation

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Scenario introduction

You and your child have arrived at a family birthday party. The other kids are playing together, but they don’t seem to be including your child. Some of the adults are unsure how to encourage their kids to interact, and you notice your child is starting to feel left out.

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How would you approach the situation?

Step 1

"Would it be okay if I introduce my child to the other kids and explain how they like to play?"

"Hey, I noticed my kiddo is hanging back a bit. She has some medical needs that make joining in a little harder sometimes, but she really loves being part of the group. Would you be open to encouraging your kids to help her join the fun?"

Say nothing and wait to see if the kids include your child on their own.

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Key takeaway

Engaging other parents You decide to start by talking to the other parents. What do you say?

Step 2

"This is [Child’s Name]! She loves music and playing with bubbles. And if anyone likes races, she can really zoom in her wheelchair!"

"Hey everyone! [Child’s Name] would love to join in too—what game are you playing? Maybe there’s a fun way to include her!"

Let your child sit on the sidelines for a bit and wait to see if they indicate they want to jump in.

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Encouraging interaction with the kids Now that you’ve talked to the parents, you want to engage the kids directly. What do you do?

Key takeaway

Step 3

"It looks like you’re all having fun! Sometimes, a few tweaks can help make sure everyone gets to play. Any ideas on how we can make this work for [Child’s Name], if not I have some ideas too?"

"My child can’t do that activity. Let’s pick something else."

Do nothing and let the kids figure it out on their own.

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Key takeaway

Reinforcing inclusion without forcing it The kids have started to include your child, but you notice they’re unsure how to adjust their games to make it more inclusive. What do you say?

Inclusion doesn’t always happen naturally, but small steps—like introducing your child in a fun way and helping others understand their abilities—can make a big difference. By advocating for meaningful participation, you’re helping your child build connections and feel valued in social settings. Reflect: Think about a time when your child struggled to be included. What worked well, and what could have been done differently?

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Final Reflection

The game continues as usual, but your child struggles to keep up.

The kids look uncomfortable, unsure what to do next. Some step back from the game entirely.

The kids pause and listen. One of them explains the game and asks if your child wants to join. A few others start thinking of ways to adapt it. The group seems open and curious, especially with a little guidance from you.

Your child may not feel comfortable joining in without encouragement, and the other kids might not realize they want to participate.

The parents respond with understanding and kindness. One says, “Thanks for letting us know—we’ll help make sure the kids include her.” A couple of the parents gently guide their kids toward more inclusive play, and your child starts to feel more connected.

The other parents listen and nod supportively. One of them says, “Yes, that would be helpful.” You introduce your child to the group, and a few of the adults encourage their kids to join in. It becomes easier for your child to feel welcomed.

The kids brainstorm ideas and decide to modify a game so that everyone can participate.

The kids respond with excitement, asking questions and inviting your child to play.

You decide to observe first and give the kids a chance to include your child naturally. Depending on the group and your child’s comfort level, this might work—but in this case, they remain on the sidelines for a while. You start to wonder if a gentle prompt might help things along.