From “I Want One” to “Watch Out”

In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson speaks to parents, teachers, and caregivers about how to talk to kids about disability and why we shouldn’t shut down their curiosity. She shared a joyful interaction with a six-year-old at her niece’s recital who was excited about her wheelchair, asked questions, and even said she’d always wanted one. She contrasts that with a store experience where a mom’s fearful comment instantly made her child retreat, illustrating how adult cues teach ableism, exclusion, and lowered expectations. She encourages using honest, safe language, modeling comfort, focusing on capabilities, and inviting respectful conversation so kids grow into inclusive adults who build workplaces, schools, and communities where everyone belongs. What Shaped the Dialogue 👶 Kids Aren’t Born Uncomfortable Around Disability 🤔 Understanding Children's Natural Curiosity 😨 The Other Side of Curiosity: When Fear Is Instilled 🚧 How Kids Learn Disability Exclusion 🗣️ Guiding Kids Through Healthy Dialogue 🔄 A Mindset Flip 📖 Shifting the Narrative Quotes from Alycia  ”When children grow up understanding that disability is just another part of the human experience, they will grow into adults that understand how important it is to include everybody.” ~Alycia Anderson  ”We need to use honest, real, safe language that allows children to navigate.” ~Alycia Anderson Playlist of Segments 00:00 Podcast Intro 00:29 Why Kids Ask 02:48 Recital Wheelchair Story 06:20 Curiosity Versus Ableism 08:12 Store Fear Moment 09:38 How Adults Shape Beliefs 12:51 Practical Tips for Parents 14:20 Bigger Vision for Inclusion 15:24 Final Takeaways 16:32 Outro and Thanks Follow Up with Alycia ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share Feedback with Alycia About the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Alycia on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Alycia on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Alycia for a Speaking Event⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Inquire on How Alycia Can Train Your Employees in Disabling Ableism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Alycia’s Disability Inclusion Micro Learning Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices