Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/including-young-children-with-special-needs/5013074/
Jimmy is a four-year-old child with autism. When his parents went to their local public school system to seek help for Jimmy, they said that they hoped he could attend the child care program in their community that his sister attended. Through the cooperation of the child care director and teacher, Jimmy was enrolled. An itinerant early childhood special education teacher from the school system visited every week to work with the classroom teacher on planning activities, routines, and guidelines that would meet Jimmy's special needs. During the first months, an assistant teacher (paid for by the school system) came to the classroom for a few hours a day to assist Jimmy when he needed a little extra help, and also help out with other children in the class.The first few months were not easy for Jimmy or his teachers. Jimmy would have tantrums, take his shoes and socks off, move aimlessly from one activity to another. With the support of the child care director and Jimmy's parents, planning and consultation between the special education itinerant teacher and the classroom teacher at the child care center, and the hands-on work of the assistant teacher, Jimmy learned to participate in all ...