Institutional and Community Based Work For Children With Disabilities

Terms Disabled child vs. Child with a disability Disable Differently Able Challenged Developmentally Delayed

Disability Does NOT mean NO ability Children with disabilities can learn They often need more information, time, motivation, and creativity to learn Special materials may be needed to teach They need more opportunities to practice each skill Speed is Not an issue In MANY cases children with disabilities can and should be educated with their peers. These children need the chance to learn

Gilgit Blind Training School Began in 2000 Is currently a co- educational primary school for children who are blind and visually impaired in the Northern Areas Currently 14 students attending the school Two hostels located in the community

GBTS Learning is hands on and meaningful

GBTS Practical / daily projects are taught

GBTS Students have the opportunity to do the same activities as their sighted peers. With a few adaptations

Intervention The severity of the disability, treatment, family support, and early intervention all play a part in how much a child with a disability can achieve. The earlier the intervention, the more opportunities a child with disabilities has to develop and learn the same skills and information as his/her peers

Community Intervention for Children With Disabilities Infants, Small Children and Children with Multiple Disabilities How we begin Start with a referral (doctor, neighbor, relative) Make initial home visit Work with care giver (usually Mom) to provide instruction to the child

Community Intervention for Children With Disabilities Infants, Small Children and Children with Multiple Disabilities Start early There are ‘windows of opportunity’ in typical child development in which children learn certain skills easier

Community Intervention for Children With Disabilities Infants, Small Children and Children with Multiple Disabilities Learning should be meaningful Young children learn through play Children learn in different ways – creativity is important

Mind Set Children often perform to the level of expectation. Set realistic achievable goals Then….. Expect each child’s best!