Special Needs

[dawnydiesel]

I'm curious if any of your packs/units have special needs provisions set in place...

Do you have any special needs scouts? Do you have a special needs trainer? Which level is your trainer ie den leader, committee chair, etc..?

I simply ask because I'm curious. I'm our district's special needs trainer and am curious as to other districts and whatnot outside of mine.

[liscouter]

I think it's terrific that your council/district has such a position. Over the years I have had many scouts w/ special needs (ADHD, DIS,aspergers, autism). Whenever I asked about training I was told to read the litereature.
Usually the best resource is the parent of the scout. I did find the local library to be a great resource. There are loads of books written for parents & care givers. One I would recommend for den leaders is The Out of Sync Child Has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz. The activities and games suggested in the book are fun for all children and beneficial for the ssn.
Good luck! I hope more councils follow your lead.

[dawnydiesel]

Another good resource, though I don't use it myself, is the new Scouting with Special Needs manual. I've recced it to a lot of other leaders and parents who say that it's been quite helpful.

It's all encompassing which is nice too.

[Den5Pack457]

Our Pack deals with each special need on a case by case basis. I echo Liscouters comments. As a parent of special needs children, I decided early on to be my son's leader to help guide and direct him, as well as be there for the other boys, too.

I've come accross some other resources that I've found helpful:

http://www.scouter.com/compass/Medical_Issues_Library/ADHD/

http://www.scoutingdigest.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=85

http://www.ldonline.org/article/5619

http://www.bsa-gwrc.org/district/wp/adult-trng/ADD_Handout.html

I hope this helps....

[Frogman]

I think that all unit should have a trainer that deals with 'special needs' scouts. I am the father of a boy with ADHD and feel that the proper training would be a great asset to all leaders. I, like Den5Pack457, have decided to be my sons den leader. This choice was due to the lack of training and knowledge that the members of our unit have with ADHD.
Regards:

[insanescouter]

I highly recommend you listen to Leaders Campfire show #44 - a great podcast on this topic...

http://www.ptcmedia.net/2008/03/26/the-leaders-campfire-44/

Scott Robertson
http://insanescouter.org

[miscoutmom]

No special needs leader in our troop, though.. I'm guessing, if one were to be elected.. I might be considered for the job..... especially since one of our two special needs boys is mine. I think our troop does an excellent job of working between both boys and helping them grow. Both boys are very different in their needs. One needs alot of patience and reassurance and mine, a nudge in the right direction <as he has autism> and encouraging him to act appropriately and treat people nicely. Neither have accomodations yet.

I agree that the parent is the best resource for leading their child. Especially in the Troop level, where so much relies on the motivation of the boy. I have to remind my son to take his book to his patrol leader to be signed and to work on his requirements.

Jenny :cool: