KRISTIE MOSS / Scroll
Brant Spaulding, a freshman from Sugar City, Idaho, poses with his 36-year-old sister Wendy Spaulding.
KRISTIE MOSS / Scroll
Wendy has Down Syndrome, a chromosomal defect that causes slow growth and a mental handicap.
Photos courtesy David Christensen
Chantel Christensen, daughter of David Christensen, a professor in the Religion department, has Rhett Syndrome, which is a form of autism.
Photos courtesy David Christensen
Chantel (in the middle) with her five sisters and one sister-in-law.

Travis Christensen, a sophomore from Sherman, Texas, looks like a normal student at first glance. But after a few minutes of conversation, it becomes apparent that Travis is different.

He has Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s has no affect on his intelligence but it greatly hinders his social skills and his ability to stay focused.

When asked if his disability is hard, Travis said, “Yes, it’s hard.” Travis is a quiet, reserved individual who said he “doesn’t like talking to people” because he “doesn’t know what to say.”

There are many people who suffer from developmental disabilities just like Travis.

Developmental disabilities are mental or physical impairments that appear before the age of 21 and hinder skills such as self-care, receptive and expressive language and learning.

Approximately 10 million U.S. citizens live with developmental disabilities, according to Eagle Mount Billings, an organization that provides recreational opportunities for those with disabilities.

Brant Spaulding, a freshman from Sugar City, Idaho, has a 36-year-old-sister named Wendy who has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is caused by a chromosomal defect and causes slow growth and a mental handicap, which can be really frustrating for the person with the disability, Brant said.

“Wendy gets really frustrated with people a lot. She understands a lot more than people thinks she does,” he said. “When people oversimplify things, she gets a stressed look on her face and you can tell she’s unhappy.”

Brant has learned to be grateful that he doesn’t have any of those developmental disabilities, because he realizes how hard it must be for people who do.

David Christensen, a professor in the Religion Department, has an eldest daughter named Chantel. She hasn’t spoken since age 2, the time when she stopped talking or developing mentally.

Christensen’s family found out that Chantel had Rhett syndrome “12 years and 26 doctors later.” Rhett syndrome is a form of Autism. Now 34-years-old, Chantel has no self-help skills and doesn’t speak.

Chantel’s parents spent 12 “frustrating years” searching for the cause of their daughter’s regression.

“We just wanted her to have a normal life,” Christensen said.

Yet Christensen’s family has learned valuable lessons from their daughter.

“Our children have grown up more sensitive to people with problems. They’ve learned to be understanding,” Christensen said. “She is the teacher of our family.”

There are other people who teach how to be sensitive to those with disabilities. David Allen, a professor in the Teacher Education Department, teaches students at BYU-Idaho different strategies to help those with disabilities and the problems they will face.

Allen said he knew a young man who had a stuttering problem. Some teachers would avoid calling on him in class because of his certain disability, preventing him from participating in class.

“Those with disabilities say, ‘I just want to be treated like everyone else. Sometimes I need more help than others, but I want opportunities everyone can have,’” Allen said.

Allen and Christensen said the best way to treat those with disabilities is like everyone else.

“Treat them and talk to them like a normal person. Recognize their challenge, but talk to them normal. With my own daughter, when other people connect with her I appreciate it,” Christensen said.

Travis also appreciates it when people talk to him and are friendly. He said he wants to be treated “the same” as other people.

It helps to realize that these handicaps aren’t really who the person is. “I know she’s not handicapped. What she really is so much more than that,” Christensen said. “It’s hoping that you’re good enough to be with her.”

“Wendy gets really frustrated with people a lot. She understands a lot more than people thinks she does,” he said. “When people oversimplify things, she gets a stressed look on her face and you can tell she’s unhappy.”

Brant has learned to be grateful that he doesn’t have any of those developmental disabilities, because he realizes how hard it must be for people who do.

David Christensen, a professor in the Religion Department, has an eldest daughter named Chantel. She hasn’t spoken since age 2, the time when she stopped talking or developing mentally.

Christensen’s family found out that Chantel had Rhett syndrome “12 years and 26 doctors later.” Rhett syndrome is a form of Autism. Now 34-years-old, Chantel has no self-help skills and doesn’t speak.

Chantel’s parents spent 12 “frustrating years” searching for the cause of their daughter’s regression.

“We just wanted her to have a normal life,” Christensen said.

Yet Christensen’s family has learned valuable lessons from their daughter.

“Our children have grown up more sensitive to people with problems. They’ve learned to be understanding,” Christensen said. “She is the teacher of our family.”

There are other people who teach how to be sensitive to those with disabilities. David Allen, a professor in the Teacher Education Department, teaches students at BYU-Idaho different strategies to help those with disabilities and the problems they will face.

Allen said he knew a young man who had a stuttering problem. Some teachers would avoid calling on him in class because of his certain disability, preventing him from participating in class.

“Those with disabilities say, ‘I just want to be treated like everyone else.

Sometimes I need more help than others, but I want opportunities everyone can have,’” Allen said.

Allen and Christensen said the best way to treat those with disabilities is like everyone else.

“Treat them and talk to them like a normal person. Recognize their challenge, but talk to them normal. With my own daughter, when other people connect with her I appreciate it,” Christensen said.

Travis also appreciates it when people talk to him and are friendly. He said he wants to be treated “the same” as other people.

It helps to realize that these handicaps aren’t really who the person is. “I know she’s not handicapped. What she really is so much more than that,” Christensen said. “It’s hoping that you’re good enough to be with her.”