Materials for Reflection

In general, applicants are hoping to learn ways to infuse inclusion of children with disabilities and special needs into all topic areas of the Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC). They were also interested in specific techniques for working with infants/toddlers with disabilities and special needs and their families. Responses are organized into general themes that emerged with some representative applicant comments.

There were many questions regarding attitudes, as well as questions about specific disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), working with parents, early indicators, resources and techniques. Responses are organized into general themes that emerged with some representative applicant comments.

There were only two real responses to this question: 1) the attitude, knowledge and training of the caregivers and 2) resources. The primary barrier seems to be fear.

There were many ideas shared by applicants. Participants are hoping to increase their own knowledge about children with special needs, improve their skills as a trainer or consultant and increase opportunities for inclusion in their communities. Responses are organized into general themes that emerged with some representative applicant comments.

Increase Personal Knowledge of Special Needs

• I would like to learn more about adapting the environment to help fit the needs of "all" infants and toddlers. How do we encourage parents and staff to work together so that the child develops to his/her greatest potential?

• My interest in this Institute stems from previous PITC trainings. I found those sessions to be educational and stimulating. Living in an isolated rural community which has limited or nonexistent resources for infants and toddlers and their caregivers has made me realize I have to become the expert and share my knowledge with others who don't have access to training opportunities and support.

• I am eager to learn all I can about caring for infants and toddlers with disabilities and special needs in inclusive settings! I am so pleased that this has become its own module! Thank you for offering this opportunity!!

• I believe in our workshops and training we need to supply caregivers and parents ways they can advocate for all children.

• I have so much to learn about children with special needs and disabilities, and am eager to pass it on to our staff and providers.

Increasing Skills as a Trainer/Consultant

• The Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers is one of the best training experiences in which I have ever participated. It has benefited me greatly as a trainer, reviewer, planner, and technical assistance provider. The materials are excellent and have been woven into a variety of topics and presentations in our Program. We use them with all teaching staff and with as many parents as possible. We believe, in addition to helping staff and parents working with infants and toddlers, it helps preschool staff and parents better understand the foundation needed by and developmental progression of preschoolers. I would greatly value receiving training in this "fifth module". I am certain I will gain more understanding and skills in training and supporting those who work with, or are parents of, children with special needs. As a result, our caregivers become more skilled and confident, partnerships with parents and other service providers are strengthened, and the children benefit. Everyone gains!

• As a Family Child Care Provider I feel the importance to raise the professionalism within our field. It is my hope, that as I attain higher education/degrees/course work, I can share the information with peers and increase the quality in the environments that serve the largest population of infants and toddlers.

• I would like to give providers and parents information on current research, activities and basic facts on their child's development and special needs.

• I feel that in order to keep current, people in the field of Early Childhood Education and Infant Mental Health need yearly training. I also would like to improve my program design so it better supports children with special needs and their families and creates a full integration among all the children. The knowledge I would gain from this module would be extremely beneficial in furthering to expand my teaching endeavors and would also be useful as I would enjoy continuing to expand my outreach with other child care providers and foster care parents. I also plan on using the training information and knowledge obtained from this to expand my professional publications and professional writings.

• Recently I have applied for the PITC Stipend Program. I know that disabilities and special needs training will be vital part of the stipend program. This workshop would be very helpful for my own personal training.

• My interest in this institute is to acquire professional growth to expand my knowledge beyond my Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers training, which will enhance my ability to provide trainings that will support providers in the care of Infants/Toddlers with disabilities and special needs.

Increasing Opportunities for Inclusion

• Although we have had many children with special needs in our preschool program, we have only had 2 in our infant/toddler program (within period of 1 year). This creates excellent opportunity for educating staff from the beginning before preconceived fears and attitudes are developed.

• As with all the -isms, it takes time and honoring the process of coming into consciousness and learning more deeply, what barriers — internal or external we bring to this work. Communication, compassion and openness are the places I would like to deepen in respect to inclusion of special needs families — along with a greater understanding of their various needs.

• What I’m interested in, ultimately, are ideas for developing, implementing and evaluating a program for children with disabilities and their families that maximizes our positive impact on their disabling condition(s) without having the program make them feel like the disabling condition is what our relationship is all about. I want to know how to create a program that makes these children and families feel as comfortable and excited about participating as every other family involved in our program.

• This is very timely and definitely helps fill a need for training in the field. I hope the model sites will also model inclusion of children with special needs and continue to provide training.

• This training for me will help to include special needs children and their providers into the arena where their needs will also be an important focus for our society to take a look at and not ignore them any longer.

About the Institute

• Looking forward to gathering with PITC people! I need to be challenged and this is one training opportunity that, I hope, will challenge me intellectually. Not many quality training experiences available to those of us who have been in the field for 20 years! I appreciate this opportunity!

• I am very interested in this institute because I am personally invested in both the infant toddler child care and early intervention fields and am very excited by the future of the two fields evolving together.

• Although I have been involved in this field for many years and have written materials for parents, providers and resource and referral staff, I am very interested in: meeting other trainers who are working in this challenging field; learning of new research and its implications; trying out new training techniques; and, helping to develop strategies for support for parents and providers to, not only maintain children with special needs in child care, but help foster environments in which all children, families and providers feel comfortable, supported, nurtured and able to learn from one another.

• I feel this is such a needed training. California really needs to focus on providing early intervention services to children with special needs in a "naturalistic" environment! This means parents should and will have more choices as to where their child attends a program. A large part of this picture is working with child care programs so they are comfortable with children with special needs.

• I am very excited about this training. I think it would be very valuable for everyone who has gone through the WestEd training to also attend this Institute.

• I feel that this segment will really compliment previous trainings!