What Kids with Disabilities Wish Their Peers Knew About Them

Every day, children with disabilities show up—at school, on playgrounds, in extracurriculars, in classrooms—navigating a world that often wasn’t built with them in mind. But what many of their peers may not realize is that the biggest challenges kids with disabilities face often don’t come from their disabilities themselves, but from the misunderstandings that surround them.

So, what do kids with disabilities wish their peers knew about them?

Below are five common misconceptions kids with disabilities face—and just as importantly, how we can start breaking them down.

1. “I’m not broken—I just experience the world differently.”

Challenge: Children with autism or sensory processing disorders are often misjudged as “weird,” “difficult,” or “unfriendly” because they don’t always communicate or react in expected ways. A child who avoids eye contact or prefers not to be touched may be misunderstood as rude or standoffish.

Solution: Teach kids that different doesn’t mean wrong. Help them understand that autism is a neurological difference, not a deficit. Instead of making assumptions, encourage peers to ask respectful questions, and model inclusive language like: “Do you like talking about things you’re interested in?” or “Is there a way I can be a good friend to you?”

2. “My wheelchair doesn’t limit me—but your assumptions might.”

Challenge: Kids with physical disabilities who use mobility aids are often pitied, underestimated, or—even worse—not included in games or group activities because others assume they can’t participate.

Solution: Inclusion means active involvement. Schools and parents can teach children to think creatively about how everyone can play. Instead of assuming a child in a wheelchair can’t participate in tag, maybe someone can be the “base,” or the game can be adapted to include more roles. Ask first, include always.

3. “Having a learning disability doesn’t mean I’m not smart.”

Challenge: Kids with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning disabilities are frequently seen as lazy, disruptive, or slow. They may dread reading aloud or struggle to stay seated—not because they don’t care, but because their brains process information differently.

Solution: Normalize different learning styles. Use examples from history—like how Einstein likely had learning differences—to show that intelligence isn’t one-size-fits-all. Create buddy systems where students can support one another in ways that play to their strengths.

4. “I want to be part of the group, even if I need support.”

Challenge: Children with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often left out of social interactions, birthday parties, or group projects. Kids may not know how to interact or may assume the child “won’t get it.”

Solution: Encourage curiosity over judgment. Role-play with children on how to start conversations or ask questions with empathy. Remind them that friendship isn’t about sameness—it’s about shared joy, kindness, and mutual respect.

5. “Don’t talk to my aide or interpreter instead of me.”

Challenge: Children who are Deaf or hard of hearing, or who use AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), are often overlooked in conversations. People tend to speak to the adult helping them, rather than to the child directly.

Solution: Teach children and adults to always speak to the person, not about them. If someone uses an interpreter, look at the person—not the interpreter—when speaking. And never underestimate how powerful it is to wait a few extra seconds for a response.

Real Life, Real Feelings

Children with disabilities don’t want special treatment—they want equal treatment. They want friends who see their whole selves: their humor, their creativity, their talents, their dreams. Just like any other child.

And if you’re wondering, “What can I do?”—you’ve already taken the first act by being curious and compassionate.

Call to Action: Help Kids Be Allies, Not Bystanders

If you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver, talk about disability openly and often. Use books, shows, and real-life examples that include people with disabilities. Model empathy. Celebrate differences.

If you’re a student, choose inclusion daily. Invite the classmate who sits alone at lunch. Learn a few signs in ASL. Ask someone about their interests. Speak up against teasing, even when it’s hard.

Because when kids understand more, they fear less. And when they include more, everyone wins.

Let’s build a world where every child is seen, respected, and included—because disability isn’t a limitation. Exclusion is.