​Accommodating Special Needs Children In After School Programs

Special needs children are those who have certain challenges carrying out activities normally because they have a chronic physical, emotional, mental, or behavioral condition. Despite their disabilities, they have the same developmental needs as abled children. They have physical, mental, emotional and social needs.

​At the end of the school day, parents of special needs children want them to be engaged like other children. After school programs are a world of opportunities for them, and great places to fill these needs. Children with special needs also deserve to enjoy life too as their normal friends. Accommodating special needs children in after school programs are one of the best moves the facilities are taking.

They increase the life purpose of these children and enable them to view the world in a more diverse perspective. Children with disabilities are the ones who require extra curriculum activities more than anyone else. This is because they need a special environment to do certain things which are considered obvious in a normal person.

These children may be incapacitated due to one of the following:

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1. ​Mental retardation
2. Speech and language impairment
3. Physical disability
4. Emotional disabilities
5. Learning disabilities
6. Vision disability
7. Hearing disabilities

If these kids are well catered for they can achieve goals you never imagined they could. Disability is not inability with a proper support system.

Some of the ways in which these children can be accommodated in after school programs are: 

• Have professionals who know how to handle every child according to her/his special needs.
• Have amplification and assistive devices for children with hearing disabilities. Have a sign interpreter in the institution so that he can offer help to those kids who cannot understand any audios despite the use of hearing aids.

• Use different types of information presentation for example use of text readers, graphic organizers, and paraphrasing
• Offering children with speech difficulties a chance either to participate in discussions through reports or any other convenient way to them.
• Having facilities with pathways rather an all staircase set up for students who might be using wheelchairs
• Breaking a long solution into small portions for those students who have learning disabilities,
• Offering children with disabilities a longer time to complete timed tests,
• Be as concrete as possible by providing students with a practical way of doing things rather than explaining verbally only.
• Find out the child strength and interests and dwell so much on them
• Modify the toys and playing equipment
• Make small changes in the facility, for example, providing lamps for extra lighting, not having slippery floors and also
• Have educational programs to educate other kids how to handle children with disabilities.
• Teach them how to play with other kids by being a player partner.
• Address students by name rather than saying ‘you.'
• Avoid isolation by any means.

There is evidence that special needs children benefits significantly when they learn alongside abled children in any educational program.

• They improve in standardized tests and therefore their grades are better.
• School attendance is better and there is greater motivation to learn
• They master educational goals set for children.
• They improve in behavior and are therefore able to integrate socially.

Ways Child Care Providers And After School Programs Can Accommodate Special Needs Children.

• Be acquainted with the Law – Take some time to exam all aspects of the ADA and IDEA as they cover extensively how aftercare providers should accommodate special needs children.
• Let Parents Know about the Service – From the very beginning, include information on your brochure, website or other informational media about the service you provide.
• Train your Staff – Staff must be made aware of how to deal with children with disabilities. Caregivers should know how to adjust their programs to accommodate them to include them in activities with other children.  You may not need to look any further than some online courses and seminars that are often free and that your staff can learn how to effectively deal with special needs children.
• Teach Proper Etiquette – Sensitize both your staff and students in proper etiquette in dealing with persons with disabilities. This way you can deliver a more inclusive program where abled children will not focus on their differences. Therefore, teach them to talk directly to the disabled rather than to the assistant. Teach them to use the same language to special needs children as they would when communicating with others. Special needs children will feel a sense of worth, independence and the feeling that they are a part of the process.
• Design your Activities Appropriately - Although special needs kids will be included in the general ones for all children, consider their abilities while doing so. Do not over-provide assistance unless you are asked. You will probably need to adjust the programing schedule for them. Also, have a plan to handle possible crises if they should arise. Design activities with enough time for them to participate. In all of this, ensure that your expectations of them are clear and consistent.
• Get Parents and Families Involved – Who know better about their children than their families? Ensure that you have frequent channels of communication with parents to update them on their children’s progress. Parents will also be concerned about their children’s welfare in the program.
• Seek Help – Talk with community members and parents who very often have links to persons and resources that can help to develop your program for special needs children. At the same time, employ a technical assistant who can help you to plan how to include the children in your care.

Accommodating special needs children in after school programs is such a big step forward in the right direction.

How Legislation is helping

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that child care centers develop their programs so that children with disabilities can access them in the same way as abled ones. The ADA prohibits discrimination against children with disabilities and requires that after school programs provide reasonable accommodation for them unless it will significantly affect the operation of the program, or pose a threat to the child or others.

In addition, the Individuals  with  Disabilities  Education  Act (IDEA) Federal law also gives special needs children the right to be educated alongside those without disabilities. This includes being able to access after school programs.

​Irrespective of their disabilities, special needs children need to learn, share and express themselves. Incorporating them in after school programs is a good way to help them do so.  If you have questions about programs in Albany, please feel free to reach out to TSL Adventures.