Children with special needs require care and support that’s as unique as they are. So it’s important that this support is aimed at each child’s specific needs, to ensure that it’s not just effective, but perfectly matches their abilities. The right support will empower them, enhance their development, and give them a sense of feeling included in society. Read on as we discover all the benefits of personalised support plans for children with special needs, and how they allow kids to overcome challenges of every kind.
Unique support for unique needs
When it comes to support services, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. As with abled children, each disabled child is unique, with their own set of strengths, challenges, and aspirations. A support plan needs to acknowledge all of these details. When we take their disability into account, the plan becomes even more empowering, because it builds into their abilities, skills and specific disability. These kinds of plans also ensure that a child will be paired with the perfect support worker, based on the support worker’s personality and skill set.
Grow for it
In many cases, early identification and intervention of a disability has a significantly beneficial effect on a child’s growth and development towards living a normal life. By starting early on, you can really maximise your child’s growth, because you’re giving them access to essential services, therapies, and experiences, which become their foundation for future success. The best way to get started is by understanding your child’s areas of strengths and weaknesses, so you can identify the specific skills and abilities they need to develop.
For example, if a child battled with language and communication difficulties, their development plan could include creative writing. This would engage their:
- knowledge of the English language.
- communication and thought structuring ability.
- persistence and determination.
- imagination
The earlier a child with communication issues begins engaging in activities like creative writing, the earlier they’ll start relying on their knowledge of English and how to organise their thoughts, building confidence in their ability to write, and even speak.
Roadmaps for success
Unique plans don’t just give a child access to the support they need, but because they reflect a child’s goals and aspirations, they actually become a roadmap for their progress in achieving those things. When a unique plan is created, it sets clear, short-term goals that are tailored to the child’s abilities. This encourages a child throughout their journey, celebrating each little bit of progress as they go. It’s also the fastest way to progress.
For example, if a child is struggling with their writing and spelling, then their support plan could include using an iPad to play spelling and basic writing games. These types of games are designed to be fun, and allow the child to build into their spelling ability in small, achievable ways.
To help you make sure your child’s plan incorporates this type of day-to-day progress, it’s important to include everyone who will be involved in helping them achieve it. So, make sure you design your plan around your child, as well as your family and their support worker. By including everyone, the plan is better equipped to help everyone track the child’s progress, encouraging and celebrating their achievements along the way.
Here are a few things to consider before starting on your plan –
- Your child’s interests
- What the organisation/helper needs to know about their disability
- Skills your child is working on
- Ways of teaching that your child responds well to
- Things your child is good at and feels confident about
- Things your child might need help with
- What helps your child to focus and feel comfortable at school
- Things that your child finds stressful or hard
- What can help if your child is stressed or upset
Confident kids
When a child has the right support plan, the sense of empowerment they feel is nothing short of inspiring. Kids who have plans designed to their needs and abilities are more likely to make personal progress, achieve their personal goals and have more confidence in themselves and their abilities. Including as much detail as you can in your plan will mean that your child’s strengths and weaknesses can be broken down into actionable goals, specific support strategies and ability-developing activities.
While most people focus on learning-based skills, it’s also important to include any issues or weaknesses they may have in the area of socialising. While many kids who have special needs battle with this aspect of life, there are countless strategies designed to help them engage with other people and become socially confident. For example, many support plans include children taking part in activities like group art projects and communal cooking classes, where they get to interact and work together, building into their sociability, while they have fun.
Family support
Support plans are created with the whole family at their centre. In addition to reflecting a child’s needs and abilities, they empower parents to actively participate in their child’s care journey. Your support plans should be designed to encourage collaboration and communication between your family and your service provider. The more unique a plan can be, the more your family will be able to be part of daily tasks and shared responsibilities, as well as any progress your child makes.
Support plans that empower
It’s important to remember that support plans should encompass a wide range of areas, including healthcare, education, therapy, and social integration. By addressing children’s needs holistically, your child’s support plan will help them to develop holistically, across their skills, weaknesses and goals. The more detailed a plan is, the more a child has everything they need to shine. Tailored support plans are roadmaps that families can use to navigate the journey of raising a child with special needs.
At Puzzle Support Services, we’re deeply committed to building into the lives of kids with special needs and setting them, and their families, up for success. Our dedicated support workers specialise in NDIS-funded assistance for special needs children, taking the time to understand your family’s unique needs. Get in touch with us today, and let’s create a plan that’s as unique as your child is.
