What is Specialized Childcare
Specialized childcare helps children and youth with complex special needs such as developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental health concerns, chronic conditions, and physical disabilities, to receive the highly individualized and specialized care they need. This special type of care expands support for children and youth with complex medical needs so they can lead healthier, happier lives. Specialized childcare delivers creative and innovative solutions that will improve the lives and outcomes of our most vulnerable children and their families. 1
Families who receive specialized childcare may connect with a team of various professionals, including care providers, physicians, social workers, and behavioral consultants who work together to provide tailored support based on the individual needs of the child. Services can include brain-stimulating games, conversations, administering medications, personalized behavior support plans, mental health assessments, rehabilitation treatments, or even social development such as counseling, and specialized interventions to support children and youth to build skills such as communication and self-regulation. 1
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Types of Special Needs
Children with special needs may have one special need or a variety of conditions that may affect their physical, communication, intellectual, emotional, social, and/or behavioral development. Children with special needs who have multiple conditions and/or disabilities that impact their daily activities and functioning often need specialized childcare. Special needs can include 4:
- Communication Delays
- Speech Disorders
- Physical Disabilities
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- Acquired Brain Injuries
- Chronic Illness
- Long-Term Medical Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy
- Down syndrome
- Spina Bifida
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
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Who Benefits from Specialized childcare
It is widely recognized that high-quality specialized childcare programs have long-lasting and wide-reaching positive benefits for the children they serve. Those benefits include cognitive advancements, social skills, and emotional development of children with special needs. Specialized childcare provides types of children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that build a solid foundation for their development and overall well-being. 2
The early years of a child’s life strongly influence their brain development and overall physical and mental development. Children who participate in high-quality specialized care environments experience increased cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. In addition, high-quality early years and childcare programs support families to maintain an elevated level of care for children who need it most. 2
Choosing Specialized Childcare
It is the right of every child to receive high-quality, safe, and nurturing childcare. It is a parent’s responsibility to choose the best care for their child. Care providers know that they can meet the special needs of every child and with a parent’s support they will do it. All children have some type of special need to be cared for. However, some children, because of physical, emotional, or learning needs, may require extra support in the childcare setting. It is particularly important to choose childcare that meets your basic requirements first, then address the child’s unique needs with the right care provider. 3
If a childcare provider has never cared for a child with special needs, they may be concerned or uncomfortable until they get to know the child’s behaviors. Parents are the most knowledgeable people about their child’s behavioral needs. Therefore, it is important to share as much information as possible with the care provider about your child for the specialized care sessions to be most rewarding. Sharing ideas that you have found work best with your child, is a great place to start.3
It is important to remember that children behave differently around different people, especially if they are new to them. Children also act differently in a childcare setting with care providers than at home with a parent. So do not be surprised if children prefer different activities with care providers, such as playing games or making crafts. Caring for a child with special needs is a partnership among the family, childcare providers, and any specialists involved in providing support. Childcare providers should make reasonable efforts to accommodate specialized care for a child with a unique disability.3
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The Arcavia Home Care Advantage
Arcavia Home Care works with all types of organizations that serve and cater to our community. This includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers, local clinics, pharmacies, geriatric centers, and a host of other companies, program providers, and service deliverers, to ensure no one is left unserved. We recognize the growing need for specialized childcare at-home care and for temporary quality staff support for our partnering facilities. At Arcavia Home Care our primary goal is to extend the quality of life of our patients. We extend the quality of life of every patient by supplying tailored programs that ensure our patients receive the best level of care at the most affordable rates.
References
1 Children, Community, and Social Services: Health, 2023. Ontario Connecting Children and Youth with Specialized Care. Toronto, Ontario: news.ontario.ca:https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002802/ontario-connecting-children-and-youth-with-specialized-care
2Region of Waterloo: Importance of Early Years, 2023. Ontario’s Early Childhood Educators shine a light on the path to a brighter future. Toronto, Ontario: regionofwaterloo.ca: https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/importance-of-early-years.aspx
3California Department of Social Services: Child Development: Resources, 2023. Childcare for Your Child with Special Needs. Toronto, Ontario: www.cdss.ca.gov: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/child-care-and-nutrition/specialized-programs/child-development/resources/child-care-for-your-child-with-special-needs-child-development
4 Home and Community, 2023. Children with Special Needs. Toronto, Ontario: www.ontario.ca: https://www.ontario.ca/page/children-special-needs
