By Lionel Kubwimana
••12 min read
Real tips from African parents raising special needs children with two languages. Simple strategies that work, plus how to help your child feel proud of their heritage.
Every morning in Atlanta, the Okeke family wakes up to two languages filling their home. You can hear Igbo mixed with English as they get ready for the day. Their son Chidi is six years old and has autism. For him, growing up with two languages is both exciting and sometimes confusing.
The Okekes are like many African families in America. They want to keep their culture alive through language, but they also want their child to do well in American schools. It's not always easy, but they've learned that it's definitely possible.
Many people think that speaking two languages will make things harder for special needs children. But that's not true. African families across the US are proving that children with special needs can learn two languages and actually benefit from it.
If you're an African parent raising a special needs child in America, you might wonder:
This article shares real experiences from families like yours. You'll learn simple strategies that work, plus tips you can start using today.
When you have a special needs child learning two languages, some things can be tough:
Language Mixing is Normal Our son with autism used to mix English and our native language in the same sentence. At first, we worried this meant he was confused. But we learned this is actually normal for all bilingual children, especially those with special needs.
Slower Progress Sometimes Your child might learn words more slowly than other kids. That's okay. Every child moves at their own pace, and special needs children often need more time to process language.
Communication Frustration When children can't express themselves clearly in either language, they might get frustrated. This happened with our son a lot in the beginning.
The Good News These challenges don't last forever. With the right support and patience, children with special needs can become confident in both languages.
Here are the practical things we did that made a real difference:
We made simple rules about when to use each language:
This helped our son know which language to use when.
Talk to your speech therapist about including both languages in sessions. Many therapists are happy to learn a few words in your language or use bilingual materials.
We put up pictures around the house with words in both languages. For example, a picture of water with "water" and the word in our native language underneath.
Find children's books that have both languages on the same page. This helps children see that both languages are equally important.
Don't correct every mistake. Instead, repeat what your child said correctly. If they say "I want agua," you can say "Yes, you want water" without making them feel bad.
Some days will be better than others. Celebrate small wins, like when your child uses a new word correctly in either language.
Find other African families in your area who are also raising bilingual children. Your kids can play together and see that speaking two languages is normal and cool.
One family we know has a daughter with Down syndrome. They were worried about teaching her two languages, but they found something that worked really well.
They started telling her traditional stories from their home country every night. These weren't just any stories - they were tales their grandmother used to tell them. The daughter loved these stories so much that she started asking for them in both languages.
Now, at age 8, she can tell these stories herself in both English and her family's native language. The stories helped her learn vocabulary, but more importantly, they made her proud of where her family comes from.
Another family shared their breakthrough moment with us. Their son with autism was 7 years old and barely speaking in either language. They were feeling discouraged.
Then one day, he was playing with blocks and started counting in both languages - switching back and forth naturally. "One, two, tatu, four, tano..." (mixing English and Swahili).
Instead of correcting him, his parents celebrated. That was the moment they realized he wasn't confused - he was actually showing how smart he was by using both languages together.
From that day on, his confidence grew. Now he's 10 and loves teaching his little sister words in both languages.
Many speech therapists have never worked with bilingual families before. Here's how to help them help your child:
Before the First Session:
During Sessions:
At Home:
Language Switching Games:
Cultural Connection Activities:
Your child's connection to their culture makes learning both languages easier and more meaningful. Here's why:
Familiar Stories Stick Better: Children remember words and phrases better when they're part of stories they love. Traditional folktales, songs, and games from your culture give your child a strong foundation to build on.
Pride Boosts Learning: When children feel proud of where they come from, they want to learn more about their heritage language. This natural motivation is powerful for special needs children who might struggle with traditional learning methods.
Family Connection: Speaking your native language helps your child connect with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. These relationships give them more reasons to keep learning.
Morning Routines:
Cooking Together:
Bedtime Traditions:
Don't panic if your child says things like "I want agua" or "Let's go to the tienda." This mixing is completely normal and actually shows that your child's brain is working hard to use both languages.
What to Do:
Some children feel embarrassed about speaking their native language, especially if they're the only ones in their class who speak it.
Building Pride:
Every child learns at their own pace. Special needs children might need extra time, and that's perfectly okay.
Stay Encouraged:
Free Apps to Try:
Simple Tools at Home:
Easy Changes:
Where to Look:
Benefits for Your Child:
Talk to Teachers:
Help Your Child Advocate:
Sometimes people don't understand why bilingual children with special needs might act differently. Here's how to help:
Educate Others:
Simple Ways to Document Progress:
What to Celebrate:
Short-term Goals (1-3 months):
Long-term Goals (6-12 months):
It's Okay to Go Slow: Every child learns at their own pace. Special needs children might need extra time, and that's perfectly normal. Focus on progress, not perfection.
You're Not Alone: Thousands of African families are raising bilingual special needs children successfully. Connect with other parents who understand your journey.
Both Languages Are Gifts: Your child's ability to speak two languages is a superpower, not a problem. Help them see it as something special about themselves.
Small Steps Lead to Big Changes: Start with one or two strategies from this article. You don't have to do everything at once.
Choose One Thing to Try:
Be Patient With Yourself: Raising a bilingual special needs child is challenging, but you're doing an amazing job. Trust yourself and celebrate every small victory along the way.
Your child's journey with two languages and special needs is unique and beautiful. With love, patience, and the right support, they can thrive in both languages while staying connected to their rich cultural heritage.
