It was a quick TikTok.

Well intentioned, I’m sure.

“As we start this new school year, just a reminder that if your kids aren’t in special education, make sure you tell them to say hi to those kids who are.”

That was basically the gist of it.

Which is a great reminder.

I think.

But why do we need to single out the special education kids?

Why can’t we just remind ALL of our kids to be kind and say hi to ALL of the kids in their classrooms? In their grades? In their buildings? The one point I did like that the TikTok made was she said that even if those kids don’t say hi back, tell your kids to say hi. Because mine- he won’t say hi back. And it’s not because he’s rude or he doesn’t like you. It’s just not always on his radar to return the greeting. But he’s probably not alone in that.

Maybe this is just me. Maybe I’m up in the feels on the eve of another new school year.

I think that’s probably it, but I do think we should be telling our kids to be kind to everyone, not just the special education kids.

Here’s the thing about a new school year when you do have one of those special education kids.

Every year it’s literally starting over. And i know it’s that way for everyone, but some of these kids fall quicker into the routines and expectations than others.

Yesterday over coffee with a friend I was raving about particular school experiences we’ve had with him, and she asked me a question that I hadn’t really thought about before.

What made them different? What made them great?

And at first I said I didn’t know, and then it hit me that I did know.

And it’s so cheesy.

Or it just feels super cheesy.

They presumed competence and they prioritized including him.

And this crazy thing happens when you believe in a kid who sometimes doesn’t know how to ask for your vote of confidence- he starts to thrive. He makes jokes in class, he makes friends.

He takes that belief in him that you’re putting out into the universe and makes it his own.

Take it from someone who has had the front row seat for it- it’s an incredible thing to behold.

So here we sit- on the eve of a brand new school year, one with some changes for him.

Good changes. New challenges. Another opportunity for him to rise to the occasion, which he tends to do extremely well.

I’m excited, and I’m nervous.

I believe in him.

I believe he’s surrounded by kindness. (Seriously, he goes to school with some incredible small human beings) I believe that he will be supported and challenged throughout this year, and I believe that he will continue to succeed.

I also believe that with continued shows of kindness like saying hi to him (or anyone else for that matter), these kids will feel like they belong as a part of their school communities.

And that matters for all of them- special education or not.