In Part One of this three part series we looked at the definition of inclusion and what the act requires of child care and tutoring centers with regards to the acceptance and inclusion of students.
In Part Two we are going to look at some Common Misconceptions about children with disabilities and the benefits of Inclusive Childcare to help you make any necessary changes to your policies and training materials.
List of Medical Conditions and Disorders with definitions.
List of Acronyms & Abberviations
List of National Organizations & Resources
List of Frequently Asked Questions
MISCONCEPTION: Children with special needs should associate only with other children with special needs.
FACT: All children benefit from associating with a wide range of individuals. All children, including children with special needs, gain valuable learning experiences by being together.
MISCONCEPTION: All children with special needs require extra time and complicated care.
FACT: No two children are alike; regardless of whether or not they have disabilities. Some children who have disabilities will need special care. Other will need little or no additional care. Like all children, children with special needs have unique personalities, strengths, interests and abilities. They are as diverse as any other group of children.
MISCONCEPTION: All disabilities are visible.
FACT: There are many types of disabilities; some are easily recognized such as physical impairments or cerebral palsy. Other disabilities may not be apparent. These include visual impairments, hearing impairments, emotional or behavioral disorders and learning disabilities. Whether a disability is apparent or not, children must not be judged by a diagnosis. It is important that caregivers take the time to get to know each child as an individual.
MISCONCEPTION: All children with mental disabilities have challenging behaviors.
FACT: Just because a person has a mental disability, it does not mean that he or she has a behavior problems. As with any group of children, those with special needs may have challenging or aggressive behaviors. Often this behavior is due to a child’s frustration due to an inability to effectively communicate his or her needs. A patient, understanding care giver can help by learning the child’s signals, routines, likes and dislikes.
BENEFITS
Inclusive services help to ensure that children with and without disabilities experience the benefits of living and growing together.
Inclusive practices help create an atmosphere in which children are better able to accept and understand differences among themselves. Children begin to realize and accept that some people need to use wheelchairs, some people need to use hearing aids and some use their arms and legs in different ways.
Children, families, child care providers and the community all benefit by supporting inclusion.
Benefits for Children:
- Children develop friendships and lean how to play and interact with one another.
- Children develop a more positive image of themselves and a healthy attitude about the uniqueness of others.
- Children are provided with models of people who achieve, despite challenges.
- Children with special needs have opportunities to learn new skills by observing and imitating other children.
- Children are encouraged to be resourceful, create van cooperative.
Benefits for Families:
- All families are supported to learn more about child development.
- All families have the joy of watching their children make friends with a diverse group of children.
- All families have access to child care.
- All families have an opportunity to teach their children about individual differences and diversity.
- All families have an opportunity to talk with other parents and realize they share many of the same frustrations, concerns, needs, hopes and desires for their children.
Benefits for Child Care Professionals:
- Caregivers grow professionally by developing new skills and broadening their perspectives on child development.
- Caregivers have an opportunity to learn about and develop partnerships with other community resources and agencies.
- Caregivers learn to communicate more effectively and work as a team.
- Caregivers build strong relationships with parents.
- Caregivers enhance their credibility as quality, inclusive child care providers.
Benefits for the Community:
- A community becomes more accepting and supportive of all people.
- A more diverse community leads to more creativity, possibilities and opportunities.
- Inclusion helps adults with disabilities to be better prepared for the responsibilities and privileges of community life.
Part One of Understanding Inclusion and The Americans with Disabilities Act
Medical Conditions and Disorders with Definitions.
National Organizations & Resources
Part One – Definitions & Requirements
Part Three – Being on The Child’s Team
The above information was taken from Understanding Inclusion by the Children’s Forum.
This series and The Tutor Report is sponsored by Oases Online.
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