Special Needs
How to define it...
How to talk to our kids about it...
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When reading to our kids...
Strategies to help our kids...
1. Most parents of children with disabilities would prefer that other adults ask them about their child directly, rather than avoiding them. A smile or friendly "Hello!" is an easy icebreaker.
2. Even if a child doesn't talk, there are still activities the children can do together, such as play board games or arts and crafts.
3. If your child wants to have a play date with a child with a disability or invite him or her to a birthday party, encourage it. Call the other parent and say simply, "How can we make this work?"
4. Share any concerns with the other parent. Parents of children with disabilities will often be happy to facilitate a successful play date or outing.
5. Extra effort goes a long way. For instance, learning simple signs so that you can better communicate with a child who is deaf (and uses sign language) will be much appreciated
6. Read picture books with younger children and discuss them afterward.
Chapter books with characters who have special needs are appropriate for older readers. Ask your child about the book when he or she is done -- maybe you'll be intrigued and read it yourself
7. Some audio-visual materials have positive portrayals of children with disabilities. "Sesame Street," for example, routinely includes children with disabilities in their episodes
8. Websites with age-appropriate explanations and activities can be interesting and fun to explore.
(http://www.care.com/special-needs-teaching-your-child-about-peers-with-special-needs-p1017-q598.html)
2. Even if a child doesn't talk, there are still activities the children can do together, such as play board games or arts and crafts.
3. If your child wants to have a play date with a child with a disability or invite him or her to a birthday party, encourage it. Call the other parent and say simply, "How can we make this work?"
4. Share any concerns with the other parent. Parents of children with disabilities will often be happy to facilitate a successful play date or outing.
5. Extra effort goes a long way. For instance, learning simple signs so that you can better communicate with a child who is deaf (and uses sign language) will be much appreciated
6. Read picture books with younger children and discuss them afterward.
Chapter books with characters who have special needs are appropriate for older readers. Ask your child about the book when he or she is done -- maybe you'll be intrigued and read it yourself
7. Some audio-visual materials have positive portrayals of children with disabilities. "Sesame Street," for example, routinely includes children with disabilities in their episodes
8. Websites with age-appropriate explanations and activities can be interesting and fun to explore.
(http://www.care.com/special-needs-teaching-your-child-about-peers-with-special-needs-p1017-q598.html)
Getting help...
Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania
501 Valley View Blvd, P O Box 1749 Altoona, PA 16603-1749 1-888-372-7280 www.eastersealscentralpa.org Developmental Delay Resources
5801 Beacon St. Pittsburgh, PA 15217 1-800-497-0944 (412) 422-1374 (Fax) http://www.devdelay.org/ |
Free Library of Philadelphia/Library for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped 919 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 683-3213 (800) 222-1754 Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234 (412) 341-1515 (412) 344-0224 (Fax) http://www.ldanatl.org |
Online Resources...