|
Why is quality child care important for my child with special needs?... |
Most children, including those with disabilities and special needs, spend some time in a child care environment during early childhood... children who participate in quality child care programs are better prepared to enter public school and are more empowered to maximize their independence and acceptance into society... |
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law enacted in 1990. It states that individuals with a disability cannot be discriminated against in employment, from state and local government services, public accommodations, public transportation and telecommunications. It makes sure that children and adults with disabilities have the same choices to go to the same places and do the same things as anyone else. Click here for more information... |
How does it affect child care programs?
|
Child care programs are considered public accommodations and cannot discriminate on the basis of disability. This includes child care centers, family child care homes, group homes, exempt or registered providers, preschools, before/after school programs and recreational or summer programs. Even if you do not receive public funds, you are still required to follow the regulations of the ADA. This means you cannot deny services to a child because the child has a disability! |
SOME GENERAL IDEAS TO HELP CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Children with disabilities may have specific needs based on
their impairment, but the following are some general ways in which you can help.
| MODIFY TOYS | Regular toys can be modified or changed to suit a special need. For example, a child may have difficulty with stacking rings - simplify the game by removing every other ring. |
| SET GOALS | Parents, consultants and caregivers need to set goals together. Goals should be simple and should match the abilities of the child. For instance, choose a goal to get Chad to point at a toy rather than to get Chad to talk. |
| MAKE SLIGHT CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT | Slight adjustments in the environment may make the time that a child with special needs spends in your home easier and pace for play may help an overactive child. A child with poor vision will benefit from a room that is kept constant. Children who have difficulty standing alone can crawl into cubes or barrels without tops. They then can pull themselves up, hang on to the edges and watch others from this new, upright point of view. |
| MODEL APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS | Children with disabilities are sometimes hesitant to play with others. You can model appropriate play behaviors by being a play partner. As the child becomes more comfortable, you can invite other children to join your play activity. |
| TEACH SPECIFIC SKILLS TO A CHILD WITH DISABILITIES THAT WILL HELP HER SEEK PLAYMATES AND BE A PLAYMATE | Learning how to look directly at another child when speaking or how to say "May I play?" are big steps for some children. |
| TEACH NON-DISABLED CHILDREN HOW TO INTERACT WITH CHILDREN WHO MAY HAVE A DISABILITY |
Model understanding and acceptance through actions and words. Teach children specific skills. For instance, a gentle touch on the shoulder of a child with a hearing impairment, or a direct look at him while talking, are effective ways of getting his attention. |
| LOOK FOR STRENGTHS AS WELL AS NEEDS | Provide opportunities and activities that will support those strengths. Avoid becoming too focused on a child's disability. Treat each child as a whole person. Every child needs to feel successful and capable. |
| CONSULT WITH PARENTS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS & EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIALISTS |
Parents and specialists can provide specific information and suggestions for working with a child who has disabilities. |
|
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care-NNCC. Oesterreich, L. (1995).Children with Disabilities or Special Needs. In L. Oesterreich, B. Holt, & S. Karas, Iowa family child care handbook [Pm 1541] (pp. 192-196). Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension. |
Copyright © 2007 Child Care Choices