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