Page 3 - Perspectives 2014 Summer - Final - print.pdf

Q. Who is a child with special needs?
A. A child with special needs is one who requests some form of special care due to physical, mental, emotional or health reasons. Because each child is unique and has unique needs, no single approach to caring for children with disabilities can be applied to all children or even those with the same disability. Children with disabilities are more similar than different from other children, and should be encouraged to help themselves as much as they can.
Keep in mind:
• Youcanintegratemanychildrenwithspecialneedsintoyourpresentprogramwithoutchangesin your routine physical environment.
• Supportservicesexisttohelpyoucareforchildrenwithspecialneeds.
• Theexperienceofworkingwithchildrenwithspecialneedscanberewardingforeveryoneinvolved.
Q. In general, may I deny care to a child because that child has special needs?
A. No, generally speaking, by law you may not refuse to care for a child if the reason for your refusal is that the child has a disability. However, exceptions may be made. Please read Caring for Children with Special Needs found on www.childcarelaw.org for more information.
Q. Do I need special training?
A. Special training is not required and much of what you need to know you will learn on the job. Some special needs may be more challenging than others, and you may find specific trainings to be very helpful. We encourage you to contact CCRC for upcoming trainings.
Q. Do I need a special license?
A. Requirements vary from state to state but in California you will not need a special license to care for children with disabilities. However, to care for non-ambulatory children in California, the space you use for child care must be approved for these children by the local fire inspector and licensing agency.
For more information, please refer to Caring for Children with Special Needs found on www.childcarelaw.org.
Q. If I admit children with special needs into my program, what kinds of activities can they participate in?
A. It will not be necessary to change your program significantly to accommodate children with special needs. If it is impossible for a particular child with a disability to participate fully and equally, you will need to examine the barriers to that child’s participation. Child care providers may need to purchase specially adapted toys as a reasonable accommodation for a child with a disability, for examples, books with large prints, puzzles with larges pieces, etc.
Please visit CCRC’s library to check out books and toys for all your child care needs.
*The above information was taken from Child Care Law Center’s website. CCRC is not responsible for any legal issues you may encounter from the above information. You are encouraged to do your own research. CCRC is not affiliated with Child Care Law Center.
Keep in mind that CCRC’s Training Academy offers the following trainings to help you improve your skills and knowledge when working with children with special needs:
• AdvocatingforChildrenwithSpecialNeeds • AttentionDeficitDisorderandAttention
• IntroductiontoAutismSpectrumDisorder Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder(ADD/ADHD) • StrategiestoSupportChildrenwithAutism
*Contact us at 818-717-1045 for training dates.