Practitioners often say that they cannot work with disabled children because of their lack of knowledge about impairments, syndromes, conditions, specialised equipment and medical procedures. In fact knowledge about these issues is not a prerequisite. Sometimes it can even be unhelpful and lead to over-generalisation and inappropriate limitations being placed on children.
Some knowledge of a particular syndrome and condition may be necessary for physical care and education, but we must beware in case too great a focus on medical details obscures the child as an individual. This is the medical model of disability that views the child as faulty and often neglects the strengths of the child.
Acquiring knowledge through the internet is not a straightforward process as information may be inaccurate or biased to market a particular treatment or approach.
It is often better to acquire knowledge and skills through direct experience and make the child's parents and carers your primary source of information. You can also make professional links and build positive relationships with those who are part of the wider team caring for a child.
Similarly, misunderstandings can occur when learning about cultures and beliefs. Everyone has an individual culture as a result of their life and experiences. We must remember that particular faiths can be interpreted in a multitude of ways.
The EYFS focus on A Unique Child provides us with firm principles on which to build practitioner confidence, knowledge, skills and experience.
A perceived lack of knowledge or experience should never be a barrier providing we are willing to learn.
Useful links:
- http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh_families/information_sheets/
- http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/ey_bca_bldfutu re0000809.pdf
- http://www.scope.org.uk/earlyyears/index.php
- http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/information.html
- http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=799&a=4935
- http://www.mencap.org.uk/page.asp?id=120
Mary Dickins is an early years consultant (All Together Consultancy/London Met. University)
