Provision of care for children with disability

Link to MS Word can be found here

In general:

1. When possible, talk to and get information directly from the child or adolescent with a disability, and not only from their caregivers.

2. Be patient. Do not make assumptions. Confirm that you understand what the child has expressed.

3. Where required, identify community members who can facilitate communication with children with disabilities (such as sign language interpreters, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, inclusive education or special education teachers, other caregivers of children with disabilities).

Description: Related to being unable to move or coordinate the different parts of your body.

Identification

• Stumble or trip frequently

• Have difficulty walking, running, jumping, climbing

• Have poor balance

• Have poorly developed hand or finger coordination

Tips for inclusive care

• Make sure the facility that you are using is accessible e.g. nothing blocking entrance

• Make adjustments to service provision as required e.g. home-visits

Description: Challenges with seeing (partial sight or blindness)

Identification

• Cross one or both eyes

• Have eyes that won’t focus

• Blink/squint or rub eyes a lot

• Avoid bright lights and appear inattentive

Tips for inclusive care

• Describe surroundings and introduce people present.

• Ask permission if offering to guide or touch the child or his or her assistive devices, such as wheelchairs

Description: Challenges with hearing (partial hearing or deaf)

Identification

• Not respond when spoken to

• Not be surprised at a loud noise

• Not wake up in response to sound

• Talk but may be impossible to understand

Tips for inclusive care

• Always ask the child what mode or modes of communication would work best for them;

• If the child or caregiver does not know sign language, use body language, visual aids or key words, and speak slowly and clearly.

Description: Challenges related to reading, writing or numeracy.

Identification

• Have difficulty understanding, remembering and communicating information

• Have short attention span or be easily distracted

• Be afraid of trying new things

• Have difficulty solving problems

Tips for inclusive care

• Use clear verbal communication and simple language avoiding difficult expressions, and subtleties like irony or sarcasm.

• Use objects that represent different activities to support the child’s or adolescent’s understanding and ability to anticipate what will come next

Description: Range of conditions including aggression, ADHD and anti-social behavior, and mental health disorders such as depression

Identification

• Use aggressive behavior to deal with most situations

• Show extreme fear or anxiety

• Seem not to recognize basic feelings of happiness, sadness, anger or fear

• Always react in the same way, e.g.crying or hitting

• Not want to be touched

• Withdraw or stay quiet and passive most of the time

Tips for inclusive care

• Treat the child with dignity and respect at all times and include their opinions and thoughts in discussions.

• Keep discussions calm, speak in a normal tone of voice and do not make them feel as though you are anxious to end the conversation or exclude them from interactions.