Supervision Poster Text

Caring for children with disabilities is a challenging job. In addition to providing education and/or therapy, you must also ensure a safe environment for every child. Appropriate equipment and procedures are important, but none of these are substitutes for the presence of an attentive and responsible caregiver.

When caring for children with special needs and disabilities, one or more adults should be in the room with the children at all times. Here are a few thoughts on equipment related issues.

• Straps: Are the straps and positioning blocks correctly placed for the child’s safety? Be especially mindful of straps and blocks positioned near the child’s head and neck.
• Comfort: Is the child still comfortable after some time in the same position? Given a choice, people will frequently move around. We need to provide changes in position throughout the day for children who need positioning support.
• Bodily Needs: Does the child need a drink of water or to use the toilet, for instance? We need to be particularly sensitive to these needs when children are not able to communicate well.
• Interaction: Are the children interacting in safe, positive ways? Children have immature judgment and may respond to one another in dangerous ways. For example, a mobile child may unfasten a strap which is keeping a fragile child in a safe position.
• Environment: Is the room well lit and ventilated? Have obvious hazards been eliminated?
• Hazards: The caregiver will need to give special attention in situations like bathing, where water is involved, or where steps or stairs are present and children could fall.

We hope this has been helpful, but we cannot possibly list and discuss all the dangers here. This is why we stress the importance of having a concerned and alert caregiver present at all times.

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