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16 Hudson Valley Parent n March 2014 Are inclusive classrooms better? A dad and author says all students benefit from the mix F or orthopedic surgeon Sean Adelman — a father of three, including Dev, a high- school-aged daughter with Down syndrome — life lessons are not the exclusive province of the young. "As a dad, I have often been reminded of the poet William Wordsworth and his line, 'The child is father of the man,'" says Adelman, author of "Sam's Top Secret Journal," the first in a series of Nancy Drew-style children's books featuring a protagonist with Down syndrome. "I think most parents have this experience that while it's our job to teach our children how to grow up and function in a society, we are constantly learning ourselves. They force us to rethink the basics as we help mold them into mature human beings." Of course, much of a child's development is out of the hands of parents, he says. School and other social functions provide many worldly experiences that are so important to developing stu- dents. And that makes diversity so important. Various studies have shown that not only do those with learning challenges benefit from "inclusive Our Educational Programs Feature: Innovative academic programs tailored to each student's special needs Professional and caring teaching and therapeutic staff Yoga, art, Sensory Gym, and more! Call (845)452-0774 or Visit AbilitiesFirstNY.org LOOKING FOR AN AWESOME HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL? hvparent.com/health-guide Check out what parents are saying! abilities first massage envy spas special needs schools