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*NEW* MANUAL AVAILABLE:
"Scouting for Youth With Disabilities Manual"

This is a composite book of many different publications BSA has presented in the past. This combines: 33059, Sctg for Yth w/Mental Retardation 33065, Sctg for Yth w/Learning Disabilities 33063, Sctg for Blind & Visually Impaired 32998, Sctg for Yth w/Emotional Disabilitites 33057, Sctg for Yth w/Physical Disabilities 33061, Sctng for Yth who are Deaf 89-239B, Council Advisory Committee on Yth w/Disabilities; 89-120D, Sctg Resources for Serving Yth w/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

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TIPS ON INTERACTING WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

First of all, remember that a person with a disability is a person first and is like anyone else, except for the challenges of the disability.

Be yourself when you meet a person with a disability. Talk about the same things you would with anyone else. A mental or physical disability does not necessarily limit one's interest or dampen one's sense of humor.

Help the child only when asked or in an emergency. If a person with a disability falls, he or she may want to get up on his or her own. So offer help, but wait for a response before giving assistance.

Be patient. Let the person with a disability set the pace in walking or talking.

Don't be afraid to laugh with him or her. But never laugh at the person!

Don't be over-protective or over-solicitous. Don't shower the child with kindness.

Add "improvise" to your vocabulary and don't be afraid to do it.

Don't offer pity or charity. Persons with disabilities want to be treated as an equal and want a chance to prove themselves.

Don't separate a person with a disability from a wheelchair or crutches unless asked. The person may want it within reach.

When dining with persons with disabilities, you shouldn't automatically cut their food; you should ask first if they need assistance.

Don't make up your mind ahead of time about a child. You may be surprised at how wrong you are in judging interests and abilities.

Enjoy your friendship with the children. Their philosophy and good humor may give you inspiration.

Don't "hover." Children and adults do not want to be treated as babies. They want to be treated like you. Be age-appropriate always!

Walking can be difficult even for the young and agile. Children may need assistance. Don't pull an arm, push from behind or let them hang onto you. Offer your arm to let them balance, or put your arm around their waists.

For the most part, persons with a disability can tell or show you how to help them. So, if you're not sure which brace goes on which foot, when medication should be given or what food allergies they may have, just ask that person.

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HOW CAN WE BE SENSITIVE TO SCOUTS WITH DISABILITIES?

We start when we treat every person with respect and dignity.  Scouts with disabilities have the same needs you do.  They need to love, be loved, be independent and have fun. 

The purpose of the Boy Scouts of America applies to all boys with and without disabilities.  There is a difference between a disability and a handicap.  A disability is a condition that limits or restricts a persons ability to walk, talk, reason, etc.  A handicap is an impaired barrier that makes achievement unusually difficult.  People with disabilities are handicapped mainly by society's mistaken beliefs about their abilities.  There are many different disabilities.  Some you can see; others you cannot.  Common disabilities include:

Vision impairments
Hearing impairments
Speech/language disorders 
Loss of limbs
Mobility and dexterity impairments
Mental impairments
Social/emotional impairments

You as a leader can help make disabilities seen as challenges -- not as handicaps.  It is important to use language that provides positive reinforcements:

Put the individual ahead of the disability.

Emphasize abilities.  Everyone likes to be known for his or her strengths.

Don't underestimate.  A persons physical disability doesn't lesson his or her mental abilities.

 Avoid labels.

 Be aware; keep your own language positive.

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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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ADD & ADHD

Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Due to a chemical imbalance, a person is not able to remain focused on one activity for any extended amount of time. Outside stimuli can easily disrupt the person and should be kept to a minimum.

Considerations

Instructions should be kept short and clear. Do not give the person a huge list of directions or activities.

Use a written schedule to help the person know what is expected, when to do the tasks and for how long.

Do not allow person to get too "wired up," because it may be difficult to calm him or her back down.

Use "coupling": couple a task with a favorite thing -- such as eating with dessert or bed with fishing.

For every duration of time on tasks, allow the person to get up and do something active -- or give a positive reinforcement of praise.

When giving directions, always use the person's name and obtain eye contact.

Remember that persons with ADD and ADHD are very sensitive to outside stimulus such as lights, activities and music.

If diet calls for it, monitor sugar and caffeine -- diet should be monitored for all children and adults anyway.