Special Needs, Special Gifts — Changing the Narrative One Story at a Time

For far too long, the phrase “special needs” has been whispered loaded with pity, fear, or discomfort. People hear it and assume limits. They lower expectations. They look away.

But I want to change that.

Because behind every label, behind every diagnosis, behind every behaviour that makes someone "different" — is a gift waiting to be unwrapped. A strength waiting to be seen. A story waiting to be told.

💭 What If We've Been Looking at It All Wrong?

What if instead of focusing on deficits, we looked for design?

What if instead of saying “He can't speak,” we said, “He's teaching us to listen differently”?

What if instead of assuming a child who flaps their hands is “disruptive,” we noticed their excitement, their joy, their effort to regulate in a world that can be overwhelming?

Because the truth is — every person has a purpose. And sometimes, the most profound insights come from those the world overlooks.

✨ Real-Life Gifts in Unexpected Packages

I work with children and individuals who are nonspeaking, autistic, or have other special needs. And let me tell you, the term “special” doesn’t even begin to describe them.

• One boy spells poetry that brings grown adults to tears.
• A young girl who once seemed “shut down” now shares wise reflections on life, faith, and resilience.
• Another teen with big behaviours has the biggest heart — and reminds us daily that love can be loud, messy, and holy.

They are not broken.
They are not burdens.
They are mirrors — reflecting back to us our assumptions, our impatience, our limited definitions of success.

💬 Let’s Change the Language, Change the Lens

It starts with us. With how we speak. With what we choose to focus on.

Instead of “nonverbal,” let’s say “nonspeaking but deeply expressive.”
Instead of “low-functioning,” let’s say “someone with complex needs and hidden strengths.”
Instead of asking “What’s wrong?” — let’s ask “What does this person need to thrive?”

Language matters. Because language shapes perception. And perception shapes treatment.

🛑 Stop the Pity — Start the Partnership

Children with special needs don’t need our sympathy — they need our belief.

They need us to stop speaking about them and start working with them.
They need opportunities, not just opinions.
They need support that is respectful, not just compliant.
And most of all, they need people who see past the challenges and recognize the gifts.

🌍 A Bigger Vision for Inclusion

Inclusion is not just about putting children in the same room. It’s about giving them equal opportunity to contribute — in their own way, at their own pace, with their own voice.

Imagine a world where we didn’t see disability as a lack, but as a unique contribution to our collective humanity.

Imagine if we didn’t just “accommodate,” but truly celebrated differences as divine design.

❤️ Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond to someone with special needs, start with curiosity. Ask questions. Get to know the person beyond the label. Be willing to learn — and unlearn.

Because when we shift the narrative, we shift the world. One story, one child, one act of belief at a time.

Special needs are not a detour from the plan.
They are a different road — filled with unexpected beauty.

Let’s stop looking away.
Let’s start looking deeper.
And let’s celebrate the special gifts we’re so lucky to witness.

💬 Let’s talk:
What’s one thing a child with special needs has taught you? Or how has your view changed over time? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.