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Learning to see the whole child and what they can do, as well as concentrating on their family’s needs
will help you provide excellent care to a child with special needs.
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Inclusive child care is an approach to child care that ensures every child has his or her unique needs met
and that every child in the program can participate in every offering.
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A developmental delay or disability affects a person’s ability
to function in a way that is commonly expected for their age, resulting in special needs.
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Being gifted or talented may impact a child’s attention
and behavior in a classroom of peers who are developing typically.
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Early intervention
refers to services that mitigate a delay or disability.
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Developmentally appropriate practice
involves knowing child development in general, along with each child’s cultural and individual needs.
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Support services
can improve the quality of life for a child with a delay or disability.
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If you suspect a child may have a delay or disability,
refer the parents to the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System.
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Making a reasonable effort to accept a child with special needs means you are complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act
a federal law.
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To use People First Language
mention the person before the condition and avoid using prejudicial language
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Having sympathy or empathy for the children in your care, and for their families
is a key part of providing quality inclusive child care and will help you remember to use People First Language.
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Since every child has unique needs that can vary from day to day and throughout each day
it is important that child care professionals strive to know and meet the changing needs of all individuals in their care.
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Ignoring, infantilizing, and objectifying
are all ways of showing prejudice toward children with special needs.
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The ADA sets out provisions
directly related to child care.
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Federal law protects the confidentiality of children
who receive benefits under IDEA.
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All children, every family, child care providers, and entire communities are strengthened by inclusion
the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
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Development proceeds
from general to specific.
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The developmental sequence
is similar for all children.
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Development proceeds at different
rates.
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Developmental disability can be caused by
illness, injury, birth defect, or abuse.
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Three specific developmental disabilities you may see in children in your care are
autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and intellectual or cognitive impairment.
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The principles of caring for children with special needs are the same as those for caring for any child:
keep them safe, keep them healthy, and meet their needs through developmentally appropriate practice.
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Help families through the early intervention process
by being their knowledgeable partner in child care.
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Child care professionals are skilled in guiding children’s behavior through positive behavioral supports such as
prevention, redirection, and positive reinforcement.
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Developmentally appropriate environments and experiences are created through and defined by
developmentally appropriate practice.
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When making decisions about developmentally appropriate practice, consider a child’s unique individual needs
the particular interests and concerns of their family, and everything you know about child growth and development.
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Active learning, meaningful experiences, and supportive relationships are the
hallmarks of DAP.
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“Family culture” refers to
the group of norms taught to a growing child as the social heritage of past generations and the model to be copied.
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There are four ways to make a report
online, telephone, Florida Relay/TTY, and fax.
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The three most common challenges in accommodating children with special needs are
ratios, staff training and education, and accessibility.
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Assistive technologies can help you to accommodate a special need without
creating undue burden.
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To provide excellent care for a child with special needs, do as you would with all children:
keep them healthy, keep the environment safe, learn about special dietary needs, talk to the parents and include them in the decisions that affect the care of their child, and ask for help at any time.
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Words or techniques
that allude to guiding behavior, teaching what to do, and supporting appropriate behavior are considered discipline.
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Words or techniques that are intended to hurt
cause bad feelings, or shame the child are considered punishment.
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Conscious Discipline
helps child care professionals teach and model self-control.
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The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning
is a key resource for child care providers who work with young children.
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The Child Care Resource & Referral Network
helps parents find appropriate childcare and financial assistance.
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The Warm Line
gives information that helps providers meet the needs of children with disabilities.
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Child Find was created by IDEA
and it offers a wide range of screening and evaluation services.
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The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System
(FDLRS) offers free screening of children under the age of 21.
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Early Learning Coalitions work with
child care professionals, school districts, and parents to prepare children to enter school.
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