Parents of children with cognitive delays often worry their kids might be isolated from the real world and have difficulty making friends. Socialization is so important for children with intellectual disabilities. Through friendships with peers of similar age and average intellect, these special kids can improve the quality of their lives dramatically. They can learn, have experiences, and participate in activities they otherwise might never even imagine if left to only associate with other intellectually-disabled children.
There is a fantastic organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver called “Best Buddies International.” Headquartered in Miami, Florida, it is non-profit organization which is rapidly spreading throughout the nation. Its primary goal is to integrate intellectually disabled children into their schools with typical kids, through education and support. The Best Buddies organization has improved the lives of over 350,000 people in 2007 and increases in number by approximately 60,000 each year. It has six separate programs: Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, Best Buddies Jobs, and e-Buddies. Best Buddies declares that by 2010, it will operate in all 50 states.
What does Best Buddies do?
Best Buddies Middle Schools (High Schools, Colleges, and Citizens) matches students who have cognitive disabilities with those who don’t, in order to foster one-on-one friendships. As a natural result of these arranged friendships, other students begin to accept and befriend the student as well. The child (or later, young adult) is thus integrated into the social mainstream. Participants commit to maintaining a friendship for the duration of the school year. They agree to attend group meetings and activities, contact their Buddy a minimum of once a week by phone, email, or notes, and see their Buddy in person twice a month.
Best Buddies Jobs offers supported employment opportunities. Participants assist with job training and provide positive co-worker relationships. E-Buddies sets up safe online correspondence. Participants agree to send their Buddy at least one email per week per year. This helps promote reading and writing skills, keyboarding, computer use, and friendship.
How can I get my child involved?
Contact Best Buddies International by calling 1-800-89-BUDDY or check out their website at www.bestbuddies.org. (A GREAT site–check it out!) If your son or daughter’s school is not offering the program, make noise and get the ball rolling.
I am enrolling my son in the Best Buddies program our local high school offers…this Monday! I am very optimistic about the results.
For more ways to help your child improve social skills, click here.
Kristyn Crow is the author of this blog. Visit her website by clicking here.