Preparing Children With Disabilities For School: Tips For Parents And Caregivers

 

As a parent or caregiver of a child with a disability, preparing him/ her for school can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and support, you can set up the child on the ladder of success. Preparing children with disabilities for school requires thorough planning, collaboration, and support. Find below some valuable tips for parents and caregivers of disabled children:

1. First and foremost, the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities should open communication with the school that the disabled child wants to attend, and discuss about the child's disability, needs, and accommodation.

2. Parents and caregivers should collaborate with the school authority for creating an Individualized Education Programme (IEP). This approach is very essential because it outlines the child's goals, accommodation, and support services. 

3. Parents and caregivers should build a support team by fostering relationships with teachers, therapists, and other support staff to ensure that there is a cohesive and supportive environment.

4. Encourage the child to be independent of himself/ herself by supporting that child in developing self-care skills, such as dressing up for school and occasions, using the bathroom and rest room, and feeding. 

5. Engage the disabled child in social activities to help him/ her develop communication, sharing, and cooperation skills.

6. Encourage the child to see the health challenge (infirmity) as an ample opportunity for growth, learning, and expansion. Your child should not give up on pursuits of success just because of his/ her physical infirmity. 

7. Regularly visit the school where the disabled child is schooling. Familiarize the child with the school environment, classrooms, and sports facilities. 

8. Parents and caregivers should explore assistive technology to help the disabled child. This can go a long way to supporting your child's learning and independence.

9. Fears and anxieties should be addressed promptly. Reassure the disabled child of your commitment and responsiveness to his needs. Tell him/ her that you are always available for him! Douse every feeling of fear and anxiety that may be lurking in the child's heart before he/ she goes to the school. If the fear and anxiety are not allayed, the child may not be comfortable and relaxed in that new school environment. 

10. Encourage the child to ask questions after each classrom lesson for clarification to anything he/ she does not understand.

11. Ensure that you commend and celebrate every bit of success the child makes in school so as to give that child more dose of encouragement.

12. Parents and caregivers should seek for guidance from specialists, such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, or psychologists.

13. Access online resources such as disability caring organizations, support groups, and other useful websites.

14. Connect with other families and support groups online who have children with disabilities.

International agencies across the world have taken giant steps to support children with disabilities in accessing equity and quality education. UNICEF, for example, has been at the forefront of campaigns promoting inclusive education, recognizing the fact that children with disabilities have the right to quality education and learning. It works untiringly with Governments of nations and regions of the world to foster and monitor inclusive education systems, focusing on four key areas: advocacy, awareness-creation, capacity-building, and implementation support. The UNICEF's Increasing Opportunities for Children with Disabilities Initiative supports local organizations in India and Thailand to empower children with disabilities by increasing their access to education and healthcare delivery facilities. The UNICEF's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities promotes the implementation of inclusive education for persons with disabilities. This convention has adopted a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms their rights for education. The UNICEF has also addressed the barriers that prevent children with disabilities from accessing quality education. The UNICEF has tackled the social barriers of Stigma and Discrimination and Systemic Racism to transform attitudes, practices, and social norms around disability to make families, communities, schools, healthcare, and social services inclusive and accessible. The European Union's Disability Strategy Initiative 2010-2020 promotes equality and accessibility for people with disabilities, including in education and learning. The European Union's Accessibility Act aims to improve accessibility for products and services, including education for people with disabilities. The EU's Inclusive Education Programme promotes inclusive education, encouraging schools to accommodate all children regardless of their abilities. The US Government's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children with disabilities have access to free and appropriate public education. The US Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programmes or activities that receive federal financial assistance, including education. Additionally, the Anericans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires schools to provide reasonable accommodation for students and pupils with disabilities. 

In summary, by preparing your child with disability for school, you are not only ensuring that he/ she accomplishes great academic success, but you are also helping the child to build confidence, self-esteem, and lasting love for learning.

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