Ableism is discrimination in favor of able-bodied people. Many people lack knowledge when thinking about people with different abilities, and this lack of knowledge may unknowingly lead to the internalization of ableist ideologies. This is harmful to the disabled community for many reasons, but there are things we can do as a society to combat this prevalent issue. This project works to inspire parents to have the conversations with their children that are necessary to promote diversity. By doing this, parents can show that by putting aside our potential external differences, we really are all the same!
Embedded Files
Penny & Me - COG DEV copy.pdfPenny & Me
Penny & Me
Here you will find a story for children depicting the friendship of two young girls, one neurotypical, and one with Down Syndrome. Introducing children to the idea of befriending and respecting those with disabilities is important, as they will carry those beliefs with them throughout their lives!
Parent Discussion Guide
Parent Discussion Guide
Hello parents! This section is just for you! There are so many great benefits of story-telling and narratives in general. Ultimately, they shape behavior, and kids pick up what they hear and see quicker than many realize. Both cognitive and social-emotional development is enhanced when reading positive narratives, ones that are non-stereotypical and unprejudiced. Parents' role in story-time is involved in expanding and recasting narratives for their children. Elaborative reminiscing is a beneficial way to encourage the information to stick in their brains, simply by building off the child's conversation surrounding the story they are reading.
This project attempts to work as a stepping stone toward getting rid of stigmas and stereotypes surrounding disability. I hope this book can be used as a tool to facilitate discussions about people with different abilities that children will see in the real world. This is a discussion that may be difficult to have, but parents should be having it! For children reading, this book is a fun way to begin these conversations. Children can relate to it by seeing the activities they may enjoy illustrated but also start to see and understand differences in appearances in the children illustrated. Let's talk about some ways to discuss the book after you've finished reading!
"Treat others how you want to be treated".
This is always a good place for parents to start! This message allows children to tap into their Theory of Mind, or their ability to understand that others have different beliefs and feelings from their own. Applying this to the world of disability is important in teaching children that though someone may seem different, they are deserving of love and respect, just like they are.
Encourage curiosity and answer questions honestly!
Because adults know that some topics are harder to articulate than others, some may shy away from encouraging these conversations with their children. But your children are always curious! They will wonder about things they see, and ask you about them. They don't have the understanding yet that difficult topics are just that, but if a parent's reaction to their questions is negative and dismissive, they will internalize the thing they are questioning as negative. This is where we can stop this cycle! Encouraging questions and not avoiding their answers is important for your child's development and their beliefs/feelings towards people who may look different than them.
"Do you have any questions about the person (ex. in a wheelchair) we saw today?"
Keep explanations positive, and use person-first language!
By using positive language, both when having deliberate conversations and in daily life, children will absorb these feelings like sponges. They will use the language that you use themselves, and your beliefs will ultimately begin to shape theirs! Avoid using derogatory terms, as well as negative descriptions such as "She can't do...". Reframe your thinking to reflect differently-abled people as your equals to begin removing stigmas.
Generic vs. Specific Language!
Along with the prior section, parents should be aware of the seemingly small difference between specific and generic language, and how this simple fix can massively improve your child's development. Generic language is just that (!), using generic statements and identity labels, while specific language emphasizes action and activities.
Example of Generic Language:
"Today we are going to be scientists!"
Example of Specific Language:
"Today we are going to do science!"
Research surrounding how children respond later in their childhood to STEM activities shows that the use of specific language generally caused more engagement in the subject of science across genders. We can replicate this action-oriented language in other subjects than science, to help kids engage better with difficult subjects and help broaden their conceptual knowledge.
Lead by example!
Parents are the first people their children look to when figuring out how to be. This is a big responsibility for all parents, but leading by example is the best way for your children to internalize what to do in potentially uncomfortable situations! If you stumble across a child or adult with a disability, treat them as you would anybody else, and be aware of your own prejudices before speaking them aloud. Avoid anything that may be deemed negative, such as pointing or staring, as your child will see this and act accordingly, and it is ultimately harmful to the person with the disability. Be kind!
If you stumble across...
A physical difference (such as a wheelchair, or even an overstimulated child) =
Don't stare or point. Act as if they were an able-bodied or neurotypical person. Your child will watch how you respond to a person with a disability and make note of it.
An internal/neural difference (such as autism) =
Smile and treat the person with kindness. In a common example surrounding autism, people will stim, sometimes seen by an outsider as flailing arms and loud sounds. Minding our business but remaining positive is beneficial for children to see, so the example of stimming is not seen as a negative aspect of disability.
There are many other examples to think about, but we must remember that all of this changes, of course, if your child has questions! Treating someone as you would anyone else is great, but all of the beneficial work of being conscious of your attitude and mannerisms is lost when questions are avoided.
Research disability together!
While your child may ask you questions that become more complex as they grow, be sure to check on the information you have internalized yourself! It's easy to accept negative things we hear about disability as the truth, but this is not the case! The positives far outweigh the negatives, we just have to look harder for them as a society. Answering questions you don't have an answer for with:
"I'm not sure, let's look it up together!"
is not only ensuring factual information but is also a fun way to learn something new together, as parent and child!
About the Author
About the Author
Hi! My name is Megan Pileri and I'm a sophomore studying Psychology at Pacific University. The topic of ableism is something I hold close to my heart, as I work with many people with disabilities in my volunteer work, and will continue to when I earn my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I believe that in our society, ableism unfortunately manifests at a young age due to a lack of understanding and guidance about disability. This project attempts to be a resource to parents in having these difficult conversations with their children early, and pique their interest with a fun story to go along. I hope you enjoy it!
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