Tips for Inclusion and Friendship

Inclusion and Friendship

Timothy Rohrer is a young adult with autism who is a passionate advocate of disability inclusion. He is the author of a teaching guide called “How to be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities” published by the NJ Coalition of Inclusive Education and recently published his own children’s book “Timmy’s Story: A Story About Autism and Friendship!”. Timothy created his own website “Tips4Inclusion” and YouTube channel with numerous resources and videos. He has spoken at schools and conferences and even made it to the top speaking at the NJ Department of Education. In August of 2020, Tim became a managing partner of a teen founded non- profit named 5Help Foundation.

Tips 4 Inclusion

It is never okay to exclude someone because they have a disability. Excluding someone with a disability is just as hurtful as bullying. Social isolation makes people with disabilities sad.

Disabilities can’t be cured, but you can provide them treatment and you can also provide them with support, friendship, and love

If you see someone who is different from you, that means that they might have a disability. Don’t be afraid of them. They just want to be like everyone else. Be nice and introduce yourself to them. Start to talk to them

If you see someone sitting or playing alone. Offer them to talk with you or play with you. They would be happy if they had someone to play with. But if they don’t want to play or talk, don’t force them to talk or play with you.

Be sure to spend time with them outside of school. Invite them to come over for a playdate or for a party. Try inviting them to spend time with you and your group of friends to the park, movies, bowling, mini golf, library, or the museum

Be sure to ask your parents, grandparents, or your teachers about different kinds of disabilities. They would be able to help you be more aware of disabilities that people have. They can give you more tips of how to help them feel better.

Helpful Articles

• Five Ways to Cultivate Friendships
• Making Friends: A Skill That Needs to Be Practiced!
• 5 Tips to Help Your Child with Special Needs Make Friends
• From Social Skills to Social Thinking
• Mate Crime Spotting the Signs of Fake Friendship
• Six Ways to Foster Friendships at School {Tip 7 of 31}
• Let’s Talk: Peer Buddy Program
• Inclusion: Why It Matters?
• Digital Safety: An Ongoing Conversation
• Summer Internet Surfing Keeping Kids Safe Online

This post originally appeared on our September/October 2021 Magazine