Inclusion

...making children and young people feel welcome

  • Focus on the child first and begin to build friendship
  • always assume the child understands you to start with
  • talk with parents or carers to find out more
  • be prepared for your session
  • gather any extra resources needed
  • make it multisensory
  • train your team, decide if a 'buddy' is needed
  • 1 or 2 other children may make brilliant befrienders
  • learn some sign language
  • give clear notice when a change of activity is going to happen
  • use active ignoring of unusual behaviour if possible
  • do not ask a child to read unless you are sure that's okay with them
  • check out more about specific conditions - see the links on the right of this page

child in wheelchair