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COUNCIL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: John Tlapek
VICE CHAIRMAN: Jane Grossman
COMMISSIONER: Don Neeley ACTIVITIES: vacant
ADVANCEMENT: Steve Gruendler
CAMPING: Chris Dick
MEMBERSHIP: Denis Fessler
PUBLIC RELATIONS: Kent Swanson
TRAINING: Denise Keller
COMMITTEE STAFF ADVISER: Valerie Acosta, vacosta@bsamail.org
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SPECIAL NEEDS COLLEGE
hosted by the Greater St. Louis Area Council
When: Jan. 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: University of Scouting
Join the Special Needs Training Team as we explore new ways to provide a quality program to Scouts with medical and behavioral disabilities.
- The ABCs of Attention Deficit Disorder
- Scouts on Wheels -- Motor Impairment
- Scenarios of A.D.D. and Autism
- Managing Youth Behavior
- Special Needs Overview
- The Spectrum of Autism
- Bipolar Personalities
- Rank Advancement
- Hands-on Special Needs
Prizes will be awarded to those participating in five or more classes.
For reservations, lodging or other information, please contact Denise Stuckmeyer Keller at 314-961-3592 or dave-denisekeller@sbcglobal.net.
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SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPOREE 2008
“Native American Pow Wow”
Thank you to all the volunteers that made this event a success. I would like to send a special thank you to Kent Swanson for serving as the event chairman. Thank you!
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BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH SCOUTING
Disabilities can sometimes result in experiences of repeated failure and frustration. This cycle of unsuccessful effort can erode self-confidence and result in low self-esteem. Scouting can help raise self-esteem by providing experiences that foster feelings of success and accomplishment. Scout leaders can assist by creating a positive outlook, providing tools and strategies for success, and promoting a caring and supportive environment. These are good principles of communication for all people with disabilities, not just Scouts.
1. Help set realistic goals.
- Scout leaders and Scouts should share a common set of expectations.
2. Give the Scouts frequent, specific and positive feedback.
- Do not confuse the Scout (“you are good”) with the behavior (“you did that very well”).
- Feedback should acknowledge good effort and should address areas of suggested improvement.
3. Accentuate the positive.
- Focus on strengths to help keep motivation levels high.
- Boost enthusiasm and pride by capitalizing on special talents and interests; nothing builds self-esteem like success.
4. Remember that frustration is not all bad.
- Allowing Scouts to experience some frustration can be critical to the learning process. Don’t come to the rescue with a “quick fix,” but rather provide support and offer to help explore options.
- It may be hard for a Scout to think of alternative ways to approach a task once frustration has set in. Whenever possible, identify possible repair strategies before beginning a task as a way to decrease anxiety and to promote perseverance.
5. Recognize that the group matters.
- Acknowledge a Scout’s important status within the Scouting unit.
6. Expect that mistakes will happen.
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Help Scouts to appreciate that everyone makes mistakes. It may help to offer examples to decrease feelings of disappointment.
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Talk about errors and mishaps openly. Try to be objective and to consider the context and setting.
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Explain that trial and error is a valuable part of the learning process.
7. Help Scouts strive toward independence.
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Try to encourage independence, particularly with regard to self-help skills and activities for daily living.
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Encourage careful planning, risk taking, and evaluation of consequences. Start with small decisions and provide feedback as an “interested observer.”
For more information on working with Special Needs Scouts, check out "Scouting for Youth With Disabilities Manual."
This is a composite book of many different publications BSA has presented in the past. This combines:
- 33059, Scouting for Youth With Mental Retardation
- 33065, Scouting for Youth With Learning Disabilities
- 33063, Scouting for Blind & Visually Impaired
- 32998, Scouting for Youth With Emotional Disabilitites
- 33057, Scouting for Youth With Physical Disabilities
- 33061, Sctng for Youth Who Are Deaf
89-239B, Council Advisory Committee on Youth With Disabilities; 89-120D, Scouting Resources for Serving Youth With Disabilities
Retail Price: $15.99
Available through local Scout shops or at www.scoutstuff.org.
Contacts for information or guidance: Denise Stuckmeyer Keller - Training
314-961-3592, dave-denisekeller@sbcglobal.net
Denis Fessler - Advancement
DenisFessler@charter.net
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ADULT LEADER TRAINING RESOURCES
The Special Needs Training Team can provide information, guidance, resources and support to Scouts and leaders regarding physical and social disabilities which hinder a youth from full participation in the Scouting program.
Services provided:
- Presentations at Pow Wow, University of Scouting, Roundtables, camporees and other training opportunities
- Presentations on a unit level, providing information on a specific topic and rank advancement
- Parent-Scouter conferences
- Leader Mentor Program
- Resource materials
Topics offered on:
A.D.D. Speech impairment
Autism / Aspergers Hearing impairment
Asthma Visual impairment
Down's Syndrome Motor impairment
Epilepsy Diabetes
Contact for information or guidance: Denise Stuckmeyer Keller - Training
314-961-3592, dave-denisekeller@sbcglobal.net
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Helpful Links on Disabilities information
American Foundation for the Blind - www.afb.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) - www.asha.org
Autism Society of America - www.autism-society.org
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder - www.chadd.org
International Dyslexia Association - www.interdys.org
Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) - www.ldanatl.org
National Association of the Deaf - www.nad.org
National Attention Deficit Disorder Association - www.add.org
National Center for Learning Disabilities - www.ncld.org
National Down Syndrome Congress - www.ndsccenter.org
National Down Syndrome Society - www.ndss.org
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities - www.nichy.org
United Cerebral Palsy - www.ucp.org
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