1. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Children with special needs can be taught and helped when child care professionals adapt the classroom and curriculum to be more appropriate for their needs.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

2. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
accommodations
learning disability
aphasia
dyslexia
dyscalculia
learning specialists
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
autism spectrum disorder
inclusion
Individualized Family Service Plan
Individualized Education Program
accessible
prohibits
encounter
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

3. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Development and Care
Sensitive early care and education professionals respond with extra attention to children who have special needs.
Activities should be planned so all children can participate to the best of their abilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

4. Defining Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Defining Special Needs
Children with special needs may require assistance because of medical, mental, or psychological disabilities.
special needs
Circumstances that cause a child’s physical, cognitive, or behavioral development to vary significantly from the norm.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

5. Defining Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Defining Special Needs
Special needs may include
vision and hearing problems.
limited mobility.
mental retardation.
learning difficulties.
rapid development and learning abilities (gifted).
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

6. Defining Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Defining Special Needs
Children with special needs are children first and people with disabilities second.
All children have the same desire to be loved, accepted, and respected.
All children need and deserve a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

7. Laws Impacting Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Laws Impacting Special Needs
Laws exist to ensure free and appropriate education and to protect against discrimination.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Rehabilitation Act, Section 504
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

8. Laws Impacting Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Laws Impacting Special Needs
The ADA prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.
prohibits
Forbids.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

9. Specific Disabilities
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Specific Disabilities
In order for children with special needs to participate more fully, it is often necessary to make accommodations in the classroom.
accommodations
Changes or modifications made to aid those with special needs or disabilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

10. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Hearing Impairments
Difficulty in hearing ranges from mild impairment to total deafness.
Ways to communicate with children who have hearing impairments include
hearing aids and cochlear implants.
sign language.
lipreading.
visual helps.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

11. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Vision Impairments
Vision impairments range from mild loss to total blindness.
Children with severe vision impairments need consistent physical arrangements in the classroom.
Children with visual impairments should be encouraged to use their other senses.
Large-print books, Braille labels, and hands-on activities should be available in the classroom.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

12. Physical and Motor Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Physical and Motor Impairments
Children with physical impairments may use crutches, a wheelchair, or a walker.
Buildings, toilets, sinks, towel dispensers, and drinking fountains must be accessible and easy to operate.
Child care professionals need to use their creativity skills when offering appropriate alternatives for children with physical impairments.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

13. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Children who are cognitively challenged
develop intellectual abilities more slowly than others.
may have shorter-than-average attention spans.
may have underdeveloped motor skills and eye-hand coordination.
may show less emotional control and have fewer social skills than other children.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

14. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Many children who have a learning disability have above-average intelligence.
learning disability
A disorder that affects the way the brain processes information.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

15. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities can be caused by
errors in fetal brain development.
alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.
problems during birth.
toxins in the environment.
Types of learning disabilities:
speech and written-language disorders
reading and math disorders
reasoning and memory disorders
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

16. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Children with aphasia have difficulty understanding spoken and written language or have difficulty speaking.
aphasia
A language impairment that affects a child’s use of speech and understanding of language.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

17. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
To a child with dyslexia, the letters of the alphabet may appear backwards or jumbled, or they may appear to move around on the page.
dyslexia
A reading disorder in which a person has trouble learning to recognize letters of the alphabet and difficulty reading.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

18. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
A child with dyscalculia may be unable to count objects or to recognize basic shapes.
dyscalculia
A disorder related to math skills.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

19. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Learning specialists can help children learn to use various ways of gathering, organizing, and interpreting information.
learning specialists
Professionals trained to identify learning disorders and to help children overcome them.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

20. Cognitive Impairments
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Cognitive Impairments
Mental Retardation
Mental retardation is characterized by less-than-average intelligence and limited adaptive skills.
Mental retardation is a permanent condition.
Children with mental retardation have varying levels of skills.
Child care professionals work closely with parents, counselors, and learning specialists.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

21. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
When a child’s behavior interferes with learning, he or she may be diagnosed with a behavioral or emotional disorder.
A child with a behavioral or emotional disorder may be withdrawn, depressed, anxious, unusually fearful, or violent.
These disorders require professional help.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

22. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder find it difficult to remain focused and to follow directions.
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
A disorder of the central nervous system caused by a lack of certain brain chemicals.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

23. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD symptoms include
difficulty paying attention and following instructions.
aggressive, impulsive, and overly active behavior.
a combination of these symptoms.
ADHD is not a learning disability, but some children with learning disabilities may have ADHD.
Children with ADHD can learn appropriate behavior and may be treated with medication.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

24. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Children with autism spectrum disorder may repeat actions, such as rocking or playing with a favorite toy, and may become upset when routines change.
autism spectrum disorder
A brain disorder that affects communication and social interaction and impacts normal development.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

25. Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with autism can vary in language skills and intelligence.
Some people with autism display exceptional skills in one particular area.
Early intervention and special education can help autistic children learn, communicate, and have productive social relationships.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

26. Health Conditions Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Accommodating Health Conditions
Some health conditions may affect how children participate in activities.
Some require medication.
Accommodation may require a teacher to be prepared for an unpredictable health emergency.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

27. Gifted and Talented Children
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Gifted and Talented Children
Gifted children have extraordinary talent in one or more areas:
Intellectual
Artistic
Athletic
Gifted children need programs that challenge them at their advanced developmental levels.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

28. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Inclusive Programs
To help with inclusion in the classroom, childhood educators can contact the Easter Seals organization for information, assistance, and referral.
inclusion
Integrating children with special needs into regular education classrooms.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

29. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Inclusive Programs
Children with disabilities must be educated with children who are not disabled whenever possible.
Children with disabilities cannot legally be excluded from public child care programs.
Providers can explore organizations and community resources for help in serving children who have disabilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

30. Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
To ensure successful inclusion, staff attitudes need:
to be positive.
to create a comfortable atmosphere for everyone.
Child care professionals who accept and respect children with special needs serve as models for others.
Avoid labeling—children should not be defined by their disabilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

31. Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
When children encounter something new or unusual, such as a person in a wheelchair, they are often curious and may even be fearful.
encounter
To see or meet for the first time.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

32. Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Supportive Early Childhood Professionals
Acceptance and Understanding
Early childhood staff can minimize the natural reactions of curious or fearful children.
Teachers can promote understanding by
providing dolls who have special needs.
displaying images that show interaction among children of varying abilities.
inviting guest speakers who have special needs.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

33. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Benefits of Inclusion
Inclusion helps children
to be compassionate, respectful, and appreciative.
learn that people are more alike than they are different.
reject stereotypes about what people with disabilities are like.
have experiences they might otherwise miss.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

34. Managing Inclusive Programs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Managing Inclusive Programs
In the past, children with special needs were automatically assigned to special education classes or special schools, and for some, this is still the best option.
Today, people are recognizing the value of including children with special needs in regular classrooms.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

35. Goals of Inclusive Programs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Goals of Inclusive Programs
To provide all children with enriching experiences
To promote compassion, respect, appreciation, and the value of diversity
To help children recognize and cope with their strengths and limitations
To encourage children to be comfortable with disabilities
To allow children with special needs to participate in an everyday setting
To provide ways for parents of children with special needs to interact with other parents
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

36. Staffing and Group Size
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Staffing and Group Size
The number of children in a classroom may be fewer if some children
require individual instruction and assistance.
need extra help during basic care routines.
require assistance moving throughout the classroom or the building.
need to be taught by someone with specialized education and training.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

37. Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Working with Parents
Parents have a right to take part in decisions about their child’s care and education.
Parents provide information about their child’s disability, needs, medications, and habits.
Teachers must keep parents informed.
Encourage parents to regularly observe the program.
Child care professionals may need to refer parents to sources of help and information.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

38. Serving Children with Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Serving Children with Special Needs
An Individualized Family Service Plan is focused on the family and how providing support for the family allows for greater support of the child.
Individualized Family Service Plan
A plan created to make sure goals are set to meet a child’s overall needs.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

39. Serving Children with Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Serving Children with Special Needs
An Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for children under age three includes
an assessment of a child’s development.
goals for development.
specific ways to promote and support a family’s involvement.
plans for creating environments and routines in the home and in community settings.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

40. Serving Children with Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Serving Children with Special Needs
For children with special needs who are age three or older, public school administrators, parents, teachers, and specialists work together to create an Individualized Education Program for each child.
Individualized Education Program
A written document that outlines how to encourage development in a child who has special needs.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

41. Serving Children with Special Needs
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Serving Children with Special Needs
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children three and older is required by law and must include information about
the current level of the child’s abilities.
annual goals for the child’s development.
short-term educational goals.
educational services to be provided.
the procedure for assessing the degree of success.
the degree of regular classroom inclusion.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

42. Adapting the Environment
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Adapting the Environment
It is essential that sinks, toilets, and other items necessary for basic personal care be accessible to all children in the classroom.
accessible
Easily used by those with disabilities.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

43. Adapting the Environment
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Adapting the Environment
The most enriching program will not benefit a child who cannot attend because of physical barriers.
Teachers, children, parents, and others should work together to identify and remove barriers and hazards so children with special needs can explore the environment safely.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

44. Adapting the Curriculum
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Adapting the Curriculum
Creating separate activities emphasizes differences, rather than similarities.
Activities should be planned so all children can participate.
Modify activities, equipment, or teaching methods as needed.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs

45. Adapting Schedules and Routines
Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs
Adapting Schedules and Routines
Schedules should include extra time to allow for routines that may be more time-consuming for children with special needs.
Encourage independence and self-help skills in all children.
Some children require special health care in their daily routines.
Child Care Today, Chapter 18: Inclusion of Children with Special Needs