COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS

 Friday May 7, 2021

Read the content below and respond to the questions asked in the comment section. 

COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS 

As a part of the team that caters to the needs of exceptional children, it may also be useful for you to collaborate with the community service provider to identify which services are needed. Some of the key areas in community service may include:
• Public education
• Advocacy
• Community development
• Community access
• Family support In order to carry out these functions efficiently, they may require the services of the specialists discussed in Element 1 such as doctors, nurses, special educators, child psychologists, therapists and social workers. In addition, they may also require the services of a public relations or communications specialist to deal with the issues of public education and community access and ensuring that the necessary information resources are available. These specialists could also help to ensure better communication between the different service providers. Social workers will play a critical role in community development and family support. It is important that all members of the special education team and other members who provide related services work closely together so that exceptional children can develop to their full potential.

IDENTIFY AND PROVIDE COMMUNITY SERVICES GEARED TOWARDS ASSISTING
FAMILIES

Raising a child with special needs places many demands on parents and the family. The demands on parents vary according to the nature of the disability. Many parents of children with special needs say the experience has enriched their lives in many ways. However, most parents with special-needs children face additional challenges to those faced by parents raising children without special needs. These include:
• Day-to-Day Care - Children with disabilities may require more physical care and for a longer period. Parents must take on multiple roles of therapist, teacher, playmate, and advocate. They may also struggle with behaviour problems, greater susceptibility to illness, sleep disorders, and medical emergencies. The result can be physical and emotional exhaustion for the parent(s). It can also strain relationships with spouses and other family members. The additional cost of raising a child with a disability can cause financial strain. The needs of the child may force one parent to quit his/her job or seek part-time and/or less demanding work. Single parents face even greater challenges.

• Services - Parents often have to work hard to find, access, and sustain services for their children. Most parents spend many hours both on the phone and taking their children to appointments. They may face long waiting lists, or depending on where they live, having to travel long distances. Some needed services may not be available.

• Childcare - Accessible, affordable childcare is an issue for many families with young children. It is usually an even larger issue for parents of children with special needs. Although some childcare centres will do everything they can to accommodate children with disabilities, others will refuse them. While the issue of childcare disappears for most children as they get older, it remains a key issue for children with disabilities over 12 who still need care.

• Education - Parents of children with disabilities cannot take for granted that their children will be educated at their local school and many will have to fight for this if this is what they want. Despite the fact that there is greater acceptance of the idea of inclusion, there are not always the supports in place, or teacher willingness and ability, to make it work. The family needs support and understanding in finding the right help for their child. You can assist by identifying the various places where parents may get the desired assistance. 

These include:
• Family members (husband or wife, parents, in-laws, sisters and brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, legal guardians, or caregivers)
• Teachers
• Friends, neighbours, or church members
• Social workers and others who work with families
• Doctors, nurses, and other health and mental health professionals
• Support groups
• Parents of other children with special needs

You should find out if there is a group in the community that provides support to parents of children with special needs. In some of these groups, an experienced parent is matched in a 1 to 1 relationship with a parent who has just found out his or her child has a disability. The match is usually based on a similar disability or special concern of the new parent. The experienced parent shares real-life stories of raising a child with special needs (using everyday language) and gives the kind of support that only another parent who has been there can. You should also find out if there are parent networks that provide information, training and assistance with accessing the community service. This information should be obtained from organizations that focus on children with special needs, schools, social workers and other community service providers.

Brothers and sisters of children with special needs also need support. They may participate in activities designed for family support groups or they may participate in groups organized especially for siblings. These support groups are a good way for children to talk and share information about special needs. You can provide further assistance to parents by:
• Being sensitive to their feelings and the challenges they face. Try not to add to their stress
• Making sure families have information about other services, financial support (e.g. respite care)
• Remembering that you may have the expertise, but only the parents know what it is like to live with their children
• Remembering that parents have many appointments to attend, and often must co-ordinate them with work schedules. Be as flexible as possible. Try not to keep parents waiting
• Not overwhelming parents with unpleasant news. Emphasize the strengths of the children.
• Giving parents credit for successes. Acknowledge their efforts
• Helping parents to find resources and support that fit with their particular family needs
• Providing them with information about their rights as parents 

Having families involved in the education of their exceptional children is a positive experience for all. The parents can reinforce learning and skills taught in the classroom, and parents and teachers can work together to solve problems that may arise. You should try to facilitate the needs of these families in whatever way you can.