Tips for Answering Children's Questions About Disabilities

• Your attitude may be what the children will imitate. Convey an open and positive attitude when you answer questions about disabilities.

• Answer what the children ask, but be brief.

• Listen for the feelings behind a child's question and talk about them. Let a child know it is okay to express fears or any other feeling.

• Use simple words and examples the child can understand.

• Look for opportunities to show how children with and without disabilities are different and how they are the same.

• Do not criticize the child's comments or questions.

• Give the child your undivided attention and notice his or her response to your answer. Listen to see if there are follow-up questions.

• Whenever appropriate, encourage other children to ask their questions directly to the child with disabilities.

Ways to Help a Child Answer Questions From Others

There are specific steps care providers can take to provide support and skills to children who have disabilities who are answering questions of others:

• Talk with the family to find out how they have explained the disability to the child and others.

• Find out what the child wants to tell others.

• Help children find the words they are most comfortable using and offer opportunities to practice privately what they will say to others.

• Teach children that they have the right to choose to answer, to say they don't want to answer, or to say they would rather the person ask the teacher or the family.

• Let children know that you are available to help them if they are feeling sad, angry, or just tired of answering questions.