26.1: Introduction

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Amanda Taintor & Emily Elam

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Introduction to Inclusive Caregiving

When caregivers think about inclusive caregiving, many people assume children with known or diagnosed special needs. Inclusive caregiving is for all children that have different abilities or privileges. Developmental delays can happen from genetic abnormalities, birth trauma, accidents, or several known or unknown reasons. The most important aspect of inclusive caregiving is remembering the human behind needs. Inclusion means that a child with sensory challenges, even if it is not yet diagnosed, should be given the effort and time to make their environment the best and most conducive. For example, as a caregiver, you notice that one of your children does not want to go to the sensory table, does not like to finger paint and shies away from any messy play. Although interested, something is stopping them from engaging. What can a caregiver do for a child like this to allow them to have access to all aspects of the classroom? Meet them where they are at! Try putting the playdough in a plastic bag for the child to explore. Put paint in a plastic bag! Use gardening gloves in messy play. This is one example of inclusivity. [1]

[1] Chapter 15: Families of Children with Special Needs or Special Health Care Needs by Krischa Esquivel; Emily Elam; Jennifer Paris; and Maricela Tafoya is licensed under a CC BY.