Children with additional needs

Plan and implement inclusion of children with additional needs CHCIC512A

This unit is about caring for a range of children to identify those with additional needs, and working with others to plan and implement inclusion strategies that meet identified needs. These needs may be:

• Physical, sensory or developmental disability
• Behavioural or psychological disorders
• Family circumstances and needs
• Health problems, including those that are not diagnosed.
• Cultural/religious practices
• Giftedness
• Their culture is different from the culture of the centre, including those recently arrived in Australia from a very different culture
• They have suffered dislocation or experienced torture and/or trauma
• They are at risk of harm or illness.

Some children also have language or communication difficulties, which may be due to:

• Trauma, violence and crises
• Disabilities e.g. hearing, visual, speaking
• Health problems and disorders
• Learning problems
• Deprivation of sensory stimulation
• Learning English as a second language

Requirements

1. Identify children with additional needs

1. Notice which children have extra needs
2. Observe and investigate the particular child's behaviour and expressed emotions to identify an additional need. For example, consider:
• the level and kind of social interaction with adults and other children
• anxieties and aggression
• withdrawn, silent children.
3. Discuss concerns with others to develop a clear understanding of a particular child's needs and use this information to plan a suitable response
4. Identify the child's cultural and language background and migration experiences
5. Identify and document the child's needs for additional care.

2. Write a plan for inclusion

1. When developing a plan of inclusion, consider:
• your observations
• input from others
• the child's abilities, goals, interests, expectations and health status in the context of their cultural values, needs and requirements
2. Consult and negotiate with all those working with the child (staff, parents, etc)
• Identify parents' goals and expectations for their child and use them when developing the plan
• Ask parents' for their experience and practices as a resource
3. Adapt your service to meet child's needs within resource limitations
4. If a child cannot be included immediately, communicate the reasons clearly
5. Decide on a time to review the plan
6. Ask for additional resources as necessary

3. Implement strategies to meet the child's additional needs

1. Support child's entry in the service
2. Adjust level of support over time according to the child's needs
3. Encourage others to adopt inclusive attitudes and practices
4. Provide support to others to implement strategies
5. Develop specific program initiatives to meet a child's needs
6. Investigate and trial strategies that may address difficulties
7. Implement strategies designed by a specialist according to directions
8. Respond to the daily needs of children with additional needs, and ask for help as required

4. Consult with others about ongoing issues that arise

1. Share information about progress amongst all concerned
2. Identify and discuss issues of concern
3. Establish and maintain information exchange with parents or appropriate family/community members about the child's needs and care strategies
4. Ask for and get parental permission before consulting others regarding the child
5. Ensure your communication is culturally and linguistically responsive

5. Monitor and review strategies

1. Closely monitor new strategies and any unexpected side effects according to workplace practices
2. Adapt to changes in the child's participation at the time
3. Confront and resolve interruptions to the strategy being implemented

6. Other skills

1. Work as part of a team
2. Negotiation skills
3. Maintain good interpersonal relationships
4. Communicate interculturally
5. Treat all parents and children equitably, including Indigenous people
6. Work with cultural diversity.