The Budding Empathetic

Working with children “diagnosed” with ADD/ADHD rewards me almost unimaginably. An eight-year-old isolated, from birth until adoption rescue, is in my communication channel. Having studied Elizabeth Hurlock’s pioneering work, I asked my protégé to draw a picture. No other instructions, for this child, came forth.

The picture is what she made and gave me. I wanted to confirm that it was a window. She wanted me to see her world the way that she did. The picture is/was an invitation. The letter, "S" is done in reddish pink. Her pedantic nature will not allow a different description.

She wants to be a paleontologist. How I wish all readers could have seen her face when I described finding arrowheads and spearheads with my brother as a child.

She is an immensely gifted child, despite almost everyone trying to fit her into horrid educational models. Her best strength is empathy.

The world is just waiting for her.