Working with Special Needs Children

[angelstarfish]

I want to hear you stories and tips of working with special needs children!!!




“You were born wild. Never let them tame you." -Martha Graham

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“Children of the sea,
Lie down your heads to sleep
As the maidens of the sea
Carry you down to the deep…”

~Mermaid Lullaby

[AniaR]

I do a lot of work with kids who have special needs, but that's what my entire first degree is in. I'd suggest picking up some books and checking out websites for the most common ones such as autism, down syndrome, and mobility issues. These are the ones you run into the most. If you're planning on working with kids like this, the best thing to do is ask questions and for resources from their parents. Sometimes places like the library do free seminars etc too. :)

[Merman Dan]

If you're planning on working with kids like this, the best thing to do is ask questions and for resources from their parents.

As the father of two kids with cerebral palsy and two kids with spina bifida, I'll second that advice. If you have questions about a child, ask their parents! :)

[Merman Arion]

As the father of two kids with cerebral palsy and two kids with spina bifida, I'll second that advice.

Aeolius, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are those... syndroms? :$

[AniaR]

Aeolius, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly are those... syndroms?

they each affect mobility and movement in different ways. Depending on how strong the traits are.

I did a party for a little boy who was non verbal and non mobile. His parents held him in their arms in the water. He was 9 but had the body of a 2-3 year old. He was lovely, and loved mermaids, and was clearly very present. I just emailed back and forth with his mom to get a sense of how to interact with him :)

[Merman Arion]

they each affect mobility and movement in different ways. Depending on how strong the traits are.

I did a party for a little boy who was non verbal and non mobile. His parents held him in their arms in the water. He was 9 but had the body of a 2-3 year old. He was lovely, and loved mermaids, and was clearly very present. I just emailed back and forth with his mom to get a sense of how to interact with him :)

Wow... That's why i never complain about being born deaf. Fortunately, it wasn't that bad and i still can hear and speak like every normal people. Having to take care of two hearing aids is a pain sometimes but i would never say that it's the worst thing ever. I'm fully aware that around the world, there are conditions much worse than mine. Although that it took me some time to accept it, i believe now that it's my strongest point because i wouldn't be the person that i am now without it.

[AniaR]

Wow I did not know that about you! And you speak two languages. Good for you!

[Merman Arion]

Wow I did not know that about you! And you speak two languages. Good for you!

Correction : i spoke three languages at the beginning but i gave up Spanish because it was far too difficult for me to follow. This language was a fucking nightmare ! By the time, i understood the meaning of the first sentence, he/she already finished. These people are too fast for me, i can't keep up at all... :(

Oh, and when i'm watching a spanish movie with english/french subtitles, this is pretty much how i look like :

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltrwjopchY1qam8vto1_250.gif

All is not lost, i still can use body language to interact with spanish men. You get what i'm saying LOL :lol:

[Mermaid Syrena]

It makes me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside, reading these posts from you bighearted mers! I haven't had the opportunity to work with special needs children yet... but an opportunity has come up for me to mentor the children of ex-offenders for 1-2 years. Still thinking on it, and praying on it. Any advice?

[Merman Dan]

Still thinking on it, and praying on it. Any advice?

Every child is different. My 19 year old son has CP. He uses a wheelchair and has tight muscles but he is cognitively on par with his peers. He is in his second year of college, now. Not bad for typing everything with one pinky finger, eh (That's his most comfortable mode of typing)? My 11 year old son also has CP. He walks, albeit with a unique gait, and has cognitive delays. My 19 year old daughter has spina bifida, uses forearm crutches, and also has cognitive delays. My 12-year was also diagnosed with spina bifida. Aside from being an insufferable know-it-all, his symptoms seem to be solely behavioral.

And then there is my 15 year old daughter who, while she is one of seven, is the resident diva and "only child". My 10 year old was born with a cleft lip but that was repaired long before we adopted her (we have three birth kids and four adopted). Last but not least, my 9 year old is a daddy's girl, loves the ocean, and wants to be a mermaid. :)

[Mermaid Caspiana]

Every child is different. My 19 year old son has CP. He uses a wheelchair and has tight muscles but he is cognitively on par with his peers. He is in his second year of college, now. Not bad for typing everything with one pinky finger, eh (That's his most comfortable mode of typing)? My 11 year old son also has CP. He walks, albeit with a unique gait, and has cognitive delays. My 19 year old daughter has spina bifida, uses forearm crutches, and also has cognitive delays. My 12-year was also diagnosed with spina bifida. Aside from being an insufferable know-it-all, his symptoms seem to be solely behavioral.

And then there is my 15 year old daughter who, while she is one of seven, is the resident diva and "only child". My 10 year old was born with a cleft lip but that was repaired long before we adopted her (we have three birth kids and four adopted). Last but not least, my 9 year old is a daddy's girl, loves the ocean, and wants to be a mermaid. :)
wow, you are a very busy daddy. :)

My aunt has Down Syndrome and not doing so well right now. But in just the past year about she's gone on a roller coaster. But before then she was just like a kid at heart! She is 57. So I do have some experience with disabled people.

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I used to babysit a young boy with Leukemia. He is one of the sweetest children I have ever met and once I got to know the in's and out's of working with him, it was a lot of fun. It just takes talking with the parents to get a handle on how to work with them. :>