Question
When a parent calls seeking care for a child who has special needs, I'm not always sure how to respond. What are some of the things I should consider when I get these requests?
Answer
Just as you would with any parent, gather information about the child. Try to generate a description of the whole child before you zero in on those needs which are considered special. Ask the parent what specifically are the child's special physical or social needs. You may discover that his needs are unfamiliar to you, or you may be surprised at how they are similar to those of other children enrolled in your program. Inquire about the program the child is currently attending. Ask the parent how that program meets the needs of the child. If the parent indicates it doesn't meet all the child's needs, have the parent elaborate in detail.
In some cases, meeting the child's needs may require you to make revisions to your current program. Making accommodations need not be difficult or expensive. Reasonable changes are usually the case. Some may be as easy as rearranging furniture for easier accessibility, labeling items in Braille for those children with visual impairments or simply changing daily routines to match those child's needs. Some revisions involve renovations to existing programs. These include making entrances and bathrooms more accessible (ramps, widen doors, install grab bars, etc.). Remember many of these renovations are tax deductible. Call the Internal Revenue Service for further information on these tax incentives.
Children come to us in all varieties. As a professional, you recognize that every child in your care is a unique individual with particular strengths and needs and you make creative changes to your routines and activities all the time so each child can benefit. If this child has a need which is unfamiliar to you, his parent is your greatest resource. She can share valuable information with you, and she can also connect you with other professionals who can help you develop new skills or modify your program to accommodate the child. Children are social learners. You can provide a playful and natural environment for this child to interact with other children. By making a reasonable effort to accommodate him in your program you will discover that all the children benefit by experiences in their world.