Inclusion Means Building Relationships Around Children’s Gifts
The following is the Expert Update article from the Summer 2013 Making a Difference magazine, offering insight on working with organizations to be welcoming to all. Click here to read the entire magazine.
Inclusion Means Building Relationships Around Children’s Gifts
By Allison Hammond
For several years, the Arcadia Institute has worked closely with organizations in Kalamazoo, MI to help them welcome, support and respect people with disabilities who want to participate in their activities. More specifically, we provide training and coaching about how to support youth with disabilities be successful in programs with children who don't have disabilities. Some of the many programs we have partnered with include the Southern Shores Council of Boy Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Nature Center, the Portage District Library and the Media Arts Academy.
Throughout the training sessions, we consistently talk about the importance of getting to know the youth with disabilities, as well as their families. Building relationships with all children is important, but it is even more important when working with participants who have disabilities.
During one of our sessions, an issue was brought to our attention by some program staff. Parents either do not share what needs their children may have or they only share their children's problems. This creates limitations for program staff to know what a child's gifts and interests are, which is the very information that staff need in order to support participants in
their programs.
Having this information is vital if a child is struggling with his or her behavior or ability to participate. When staff members build relationships based on a child's gifts, they can support the child by redirecting that behavior.
They are better prepared to assist the individual because they understand what works. A few years ago, a program director requested us to develop guidelines about what information organizations need from parents about their children, specifically children with disabilities.
We created a handout for parents called, Helping All Children to Have a Great Experience. This handout encourages parents to share as much information as necessary. Good program staff will want and need to know as much as possible. The most important information they need is the child or youth's strengths, gifts and interests.
The handout asks that parents don't dwell on their child's problems, but rather suggests they list the areas in which they may have talents. These areas might include:
- Art
- Science
- Athletics
- Outdoors/Nature
- Social and good at making friends
- Communication – reading and writing
- Numbers
Program staff have found this handout to be valuable when working with parents who want to get their children involved. When staff have adequate information, they are able to include children with disabilities who attend their activities.
Do challenging situations still arise? Yes, but any child or youth may struggle at times. Nevertheless, having a strong relationship built on knowing gifts diminishes these challenges. Program staff and parents can work together to successfully navigate rough situations.
So, from the Arcadia Institute, our primary tip for programs and organizations to be successful in including youth with disabilities is to build relationships with them. Understanding their gifts, abilities and interests is often more valuable than knowing about their disabilities.
To access the Helping All Children Have a Great Experience handout, visit http://gcdd.org/images/Reports/Successful_camp_experience_handout_update2013.pdf.
Alison Hammond's Bio:
Allison Hammond is the program director for The Arcadia Institute. She has worked with people with disabilities for over 20 years. Along with Dr. Billye A. Cheatum, Hammond co-authored the book, Physical Activities for Improving Learning and Behavior: A Guide to Sensory Motor Development. She received her Doctor of Education degree from Western Michigan University.
