From USA Today (January 20, 2004)
Clay Aiken idolizes kids with developmental disabilities (excerpt)
By John Morgan, Spotlight Health, with medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.
Clay Aiken became a national sensation on the hit show American Idol. But while music may be his bread and butter for now, Aiken's real passion is giving a voice to children with developmental disabilities.
"I fell in love with working with the kids," says Aiken, whose national tour in support of his No.1 album begins Feb. 24 in Charlotte, N.C. "Kids with autism and developmental disabilities think differently their view of the world is much more pure and innocent."
.
"I also worked with an agency called Autism Services, which placed me with the Bubel family in the Charlotte area," Aiken says. "They are such an inspiration to me. I bonded very closely with their son, Mike, who has autism and the whole family. I liked that they didn't make excuses for Mike. They didn't expect him to get special treatment but simply to be included like a normal citizen.
"As I became more involved teaching, I saw children with developmental disabilities being turned away from inclusion in programs and so my dream became to fix this in some small way," Aiken adds. "There are so many kids and families that need our support."
.
"Inclusion also helps kids academically and they start to pick up on socially correct behaviors," Aiken explains. "And the benefit is two-way. Kids without disabilities learn so much possibly more. Instead of just seeing a kid with disabilities down the hall in a classroom, they get to learn about them. Ignorance leads to prejudice. Inclusion provides them an opportunity to learn compassion, acceptance and tolerance all skills which make our society better."
Entire article:
www.usatoday.com/news/hea...iken_x.htm
Clay Aiken idolizes kids with developmental disabilities (excerpt)
By John Morgan, Spotlight Health, with medical adviser Stephen A. Shoop, M.D.
Clay Aiken became a national sensation on the hit show American Idol. But while music may be his bread and butter for now, Aiken's real passion is giving a voice to children with developmental disabilities.
"I fell in love with working with the kids," says Aiken, whose national tour in support of his No.1 album begins Feb. 24 in Charlotte, N.C. "Kids with autism and developmental disabilities think differently their view of the world is much more pure and innocent."
.
"I also worked with an agency called Autism Services, which placed me with the Bubel family in the Charlotte area," Aiken says. "They are such an inspiration to me. I bonded very closely with their son, Mike, who has autism and the whole family. I liked that they didn't make excuses for Mike. They didn't expect him to get special treatment but simply to be included like a normal citizen.
"As I became more involved teaching, I saw children with developmental disabilities being turned away from inclusion in programs and so my dream became to fix this in some small way," Aiken adds. "There are so many kids and families that need our support."
.
"Inclusion also helps kids academically and they start to pick up on socially correct behaviors," Aiken explains. "And the benefit is two-way. Kids without disabilities learn so much possibly more. Instead of just seeing a kid with disabilities down the hall in a classroom, they get to learn about them. Ignorance leads to prejudice. Inclusion provides them an opportunity to learn compassion, acceptance and tolerance all skills which make our society better."
Entire article:
www.usatoday.com/news/hea...iken_x.htm
