OFM_PARENTING_GUIDE_722 - FINAL - CENTRA_Pages 6 / 21 / 22 5 : 07 PM Page 9 22 e difficult reality : While awareness campaigns and id 0 curricula that teach compassion and acceptance 2 do help , neurodiverse children and those uwith mobility issues are still at risk for being targeted G because they don’t look , behave , speak or move like the majority of their peers . g And equality initiatives , while well - inten - in tioned , tend to further alienate and even devel - t opmentally harm children who would benefit n mostfrom accommodations specifically designed e to give them the equity they really need , whether r it’s remedial classes , one - on - one support or longer a exam times . “ Someone once told me that there’s nothing P more unfair than the equal treatment of unequals : Our students are not all equal when it comes to academics and social skills , so it’s unfair to treat them all exactly the same , ” Halaychick says . “ They’re all unique individuals who all need something different . ” Disregarding the fact that every child has Special Needs their own strengths and weaknesses not only makes already - vulnerable children feel more de - Whether your neurodiverse child is the target — fensive but also can feed into the insecurities that or even perpetrator of — a bullying situation , area fuel a bully’s actions . But compassionately assess - schools have compassionate advice that informs ing what triggers bullying behaviors is one way how they help both children and parents overcome schoolsare working to resolve those inciting issues . some of childhood’s most difficult hurdles . “ We train our staff through a trauma - informed lens , so we’re hopeful that that approach is benefi - BY MADELEINE MACCAR cial in making sure that when youth come to our programs , they do trust that we have their best in - Tara Halaychick , the high school guidance coun - “ Typically , when they first step foot on cam - terest at heart and in mind when we’re working selor at Pace Brantley Preparatory , notes that stu - pus as a new student , they’ve had an experience with them , ” notes Christin Edwards - Salinas , a clin - dents often greet their first day at the school — before Pace that wasn’t so great , so they come in ical liaison at Devereux Advanced Behavioral whichexclusively enrolls K - 12 children who have a little nervous , a little apprehensive , ” she explains . Health , which also has a uniquely diverse student learning disabilities — with a learned mistrust . Those adopted defenses are indicative of a GO BABY GO gives children with mobility issues the motorized cars that Breaking Down empower them to confidently explore the world , play with other children Barriers and discover their own autonomy . BY MADELEINE MACCAR Orlando , according to University of Central Florida ( UCF ) department of physical these kids playing together , you don’t know which one has a disability . These cars therapy faculty member Dr . Jennifer Tucker , is where the magic of childhood break down barriers and help us build a community . ” comes to life . When Nery Naya and Tucker first met , the conversation quickly turned to Go That’s why it’s the perfect home for Go Baby Go , a national , community - based Baby Go and Naya , the Early Learning Center director at Sts . Peter and Paul Catholic program committed to giving everyone the freedom , autonomy and social benefits Church , instantly thought of a child to nominate for a car . of independent mobility . For children with limited mobility , that usually means “ Her parent were very excited and very appreciative , ” Naya says . “ It’s a game - they’re the recipients of rewired , lovingly designed ride - on cars . changer for these families and everything to a child ! They’re so excited that they can “ We had our first build in May of 2015 and since that time , we’ve given out keep up with the other kiddos , they can go wherever they want to . ” about 150 cars , ” says Tucker , who’s also the director of UCF’s Go Baby Go program . The benefits , though , aren’t limited to the children and families they touch with While Tucker might have been the one who initiated Go Baby Go’s expansion anact of communal kindness . into Central Florida , she emphasizes that the community made it possible . “ Our part - “ You always try to teach your children about diversity and how God makes us in ners — Orlando Health and Variety Children's Charity — and our community stepped all different shapes and colors and abilities , but it’s a great lesson for them to see up to help us meet the need , and we couldn’t do it without them . That community firsthand that these children are people just like them , ” says Naya . support is also part of the magic . ” It also proves that anyone , at any age and of any skill , can be a catalyst for posi - It’s also why UCF and Go Baby Go can offer mobility cars for free . Volunteers of tive change . all ages giving their time and talents helps offset the financial demands of raising a “ They learn so much from realizing firsthand that can have a role in bettering child with a disability . someone’s life , ” Naya affirms . But most of all , it encourages inclusion and autonomy . But most of all , both Naya and Tucker want every child who would benefit from “ A lot of the research on children shows that they learn through their interac - the gift of autonomy , mobility and the freedom to go to the world instead of waiting tions with the world , ” Tucker explains . “ What this does for children who can’t move for it to come to them to benefit from Go Baby Go . on their own , whose number of interactions are inherently limited , is it gives them a “ The magic isn’t always in the car : It’s what happens around the car , when the mechanism in which they can have some control over where they go . ” neighborhoodchildren come over to say how much they love the car and ride their Tucker notes that Go Baby Go cars are ride - on cars anyone can purchase , just bikes around with them , ” Tucker says . “ The magic really starts with the more bar - outfitted with “ low - tech wiring ” and modifications like posture assistance and a rierswe can remove . ” parental remote control , all of which are installed by volunteers . “ It’s fun , it’s what VisitHealthProfessions.UCF.edu / PhysicalTherapy / GoBabyGo or Sites.UDel.edu / GoBabyGo every other child has , and I think that’s really important because , when you see all formore information on either volunteering or requesting a car . 44 ORLANDO FAMILY july 2022 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM