Child Care Training for Children With Special Needs

Child care providers are prohibited by law from discriminating against any child, including children who have special needs. However, not all care providers are equally qualified to care for children with special needs and may need additional training to help them learn to meet these challenges. The type of training needed varies by caregivers.

  1. Definition

    • Special needs is a catch-all term referring to several varieties of impairment. Among the types of special needs that necessitate different types of child care training are autism, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD), psychological disorders and physical or developmental problems. Even severe food allergies are a common form of special needs.

    Community Colleges

    • Community colleges often offer courses in child development, including about special needs. Many of these classes train students about how to deal with children with special needs through understanding their unique issues. Some college courses also have hands-on practicums in which students get actual experience working with special needs children.

    Government

    • State and local authorities usually have early intervention programs that train caregivers in dealing with special needs. Such programs are often called "birth through five" and provide training for special needs issues such as speech and language delays, learning disabilities, autism and medical needs. States offer "birth through five" credentials for child care providers and more information about these tests can be found by contacting local social service agencies.

    Extension Services

    • Communities offer parent and peer education through cooperative extension services, which are a joint effort between universities and local government. These programs usually come work with the caregiver in home settings and observe interactions with special needs children and make recommendations for improvements. Extension services workers may also teach skills through modeling.

    Self-Directed

    • Many books exist that give directions for child care for special needs children. The Child Welfare League of America also conducts e-learning programs online that allow caregivers to study independently.

    ADA Caution

    • A key part of all child care training for those working with special needs children is awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), enacted in 1991. This act guarantees that children with disabilities cannot be excluded from child care settings and accommodations must be made. Among the forms of special needs that are protected from discrimination include physical impairment, mental impairment and major life activities such as walking and breathing.

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