Families with Children with Disabilities

Families with Children with Disabilities

By Misti and Joi

Characteristics • “Special Needs” is an umbrella, underneath

which many diagnosis's can be placed.

• Children with disabilities are sometimes very hard to distinguish from any other child..

• Every child with a disability should be treated as an individual.

• To ensure they are given every opportunity to develop to their potential.

• Approximately 15% - 20% of all children in the United States will exhibit some form of atypical development and need special services. (Bee, 1999).

• Children with special needs are considered under two categories: disabled, gifted

• To be designated disabled, a child’s normal growth and development is (1) delayed; (2) distorted, atypical, or abnormal; or (3) severely or negatively affected (Allen & Cowdery, 2005)

Special Needs“Special Needs” are commonly defined

by what a child can’t do.

These include: • milestones unmet• food banned • activities avoided• experiences denied

These minuses hit families hard and make “Special Needs” seem tragic.

Some parents will mourn their child’s lost potential.

Some parents find that their child’s challenges make the triumphs greater.

Every family that has a child with a disability has different needs and concerns.

Although they are all unique they still have common concerns.

These include:• Receiving appropriate care and

accommodations• Promoting acceptance in extended

family, school and community• Planning for an uncertain future• Adjusting routines and expectations

Parents must be fierce advocates for their children, to ensure they receive the care and treatment they deserve.

Community Agencies• Progressive Directions, Inc.

www.progressivedirections.com

(931)647-3333

• Family Guidance Training Institute

www.fgti.net

(931)431-7580

• Tennessee Rehabilitation Center

email: Virginia.Talley@state.tn.us

(931)648-5560

• The Board of Education

Check with the local Board in your area.

• Tennessee Voices for Children

www.tnvoices.org

(800)670-9882

• Parents Encouraging Parents (P.E.P.)

http://health.state.tn.us/FactSheets/pep.htm

(615)650-7063

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Support Group

Gateway Hospital

(931)551-1618

• Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (STEP)

www.tnstep.org

(800)280-7837• Child Development Center – Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt Medical Center

(615)936-0249

Teacher Strategies for Disabilities and Special Needs in General

• Know the child’s disability or special need.• Familiarize yourself with the conditions, medications, proper care, and teaching

skills for the child.• Keep communication on-going with the child’s family.• Have a proper classroom set-up. • Check food menus daily (food allergies, medications)• Provide work that is suitable for the child’s level or need.• Always show that you care.

• Related Print Source for Teachers –

Our Labeled Children

Written by Robert J. Sternberg and Elena L. Grigorenko

Published by Persus Books

Autism • Statistic – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the

exact number of children in the United States who currently have autism or a related disorder is unknown. Recent figures suggest that nearly 80,000 children and adults age six through twenty-one are classified as having autism.

• Teacher Strategies – Keep a consistent and predictable schedule, have structure, maximize use of visual supports to illustrate verbal comments, and break down complex tasks.

• Related Children’s book –

Andy and His Yellow Frisbee

Written and Illustrated by Mary Thompson

Published by Woodbine Inc.

This book is about a young autistic boy and how he

made a friend with his yellow Frisbee.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Asthma• Statistic – About 5 million children in the United States have asthma.

• Teacher Strategies – Share with the school personnel the child’s medical needs. Develop health care and emergency plans, such as what to do when a child doesn’t respond to the medicine. Allow time to make up work when a child is absent for medical reasons. Adapt the activity level for recess, physical education and other times as needed. Minimize allergens (such as perfume, cologne, lotions, paint, and cleaning supplies) around the child.

• Related Children’s Book – Read About Health: AsthmaWritten by Sharon GordonPublished by Children’s PressThis book describes asthma in kid friendly terms. It shows real people with asthma. Recommended ages 4 and up.

AD/HD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Statistics – As many as 5 out of 100 children in school may have AD/HD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have AD/HD.

• Teacher Strategies – Provide appropriate staff training about AD/HD. Place child’s seat close to teacher and away from distractions. Provide a classroom helper (if possible). Understand the child’s need for excessive movement, give the child the opportunity to stand or move while working. Give 5 minute warning before a change of activity so the child can start to disengage from the present activity.

• Related Children’s Book –

The A.D.D. Book for Kids

Written by Shelly Rotner and Sheila Kelly ED.D

Photographs by Shelly Rotner

Published by Millbrook Press

This book talks to children on their level about A.D.D.

and it is helpful to parents and teachers.

Recommended ages 4 and up.

Children’s BooksChildren’s Books

• It’s Okay to be Different

• A book describing how everyone is different and it’s okay.

Web Resources • www.childrensdisabilities.info/.

Children’s Disabilities Information.

This web site has many resources to use.

They have all disabilities listed including information on all, with a store as well.

• www.specialchild.com/index.html.

Special Child

Is a web site designed for parents and caregivers of children with special needs.

There are family issues and stories that have been shared.

This site offers many resources.

• www.nichcy.org.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.

This site has a section for babies along with education for the older child up to the age of 22.

There are links for family and community, administration and schools, early intervention providers, and state agencies. Has an abundance of information.

Web Resources• www.ldonline.org

LD Online – The world’s leading website on learning disabilities and ADHD.

This website is designed for teachers, parents and kids.

This site offers many resources for learning disabilities and ADHD.

• www.dcsf.gov

Strategies • Every child is different. • Here are some teaching techniques that may help with children with disabilities.• Keeping a schedule or routine can prove helpful. • If there is a change in schedule or routine, making the child aware of these

changes prior, preparing them for the change may also help with transitions.• Have their learning style determined. This can be key in maximizing their

learning experience. • Model appropriate behavior, showing them how to act may have a positive

response. • Role playing with children can help show them cause and effect in some

circumstances. • Resolving problems before they start, finding the cause and preventing it, is

very key with some children.• Finding what is motivating for the child and using it as a positive reinforcement.