Very good questions. I come from a troop that has numerous scouts with disabilities pass through it - children suffering from blindness, ADHD, Asperger's, psychological issues, etc. - many of which have obtained Eagle. I agree safety is a big concern on trips and outings with the troop, and I understand your frustration with feeling like a "baby sitter". These are the suggestions I offer you:
- Team up any scout suffering from a disability with an older and more mature junior leader.
- Have as many scouts as possible earn the Disabilities awareness merit badge
- Having the parent attend the trips could be a positive, but also could be a negative. The scout needs to learn that his mother/father can't always be there for them and must learn some independence. Talking to the parent is a definite plus, finding out the best ways to approach their child in certain situations and things to be aware of.
- I suggest you try to offer as much structure to the meetings/trips/etc as possible - in writing too if you could this way they have a visual cue as to what they should be doing next.
- Remember, it's going to take time for the scout to adjust to the troop as well. You will both experience "growing pains", but if you find it is still problematic, I would address your concerns within your troop committee and/or the parents of the child.
P.S. Everyone should try and use people first language, i.e "a scout with ADHD" not "ADHD scouts". Theres nothing worse than having the other scouts label their own peers.
Scouts with learning disibilities.
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
Gutterbird,
Very good questions. I come from a troop that has numerous scouts with disabilities pass through it - children suffering from blindness, ADHD, Asperger's, psychological issues, etc. - many of which have obtained Eagle. I agree safety is a big concern on trips and outings with the troop, and I understand your frustration with feeling like a "baby sitter". These are the suggestions I offer you:
- Team up any scout suffering from a disability with an older and more mature junior leader.
- Have as many scouts as possible earn the Disabilities awareness merit badge
- Having the parent attend the trips could be a positive, but also could be a negative. The scout needs to learn that his mother/father can't always be there for them and must learn some independence. Talking to the parent is a definite plus, finding out the best ways to approach their child in certain situations and things to be aware of.
- I suggest you try to offer as much structure to the meetings/trips/etc as possible - in writing too if you could this way they have a visual cue as to what they should be doing next.
- Remember, it's going to take time for the scout to adjust to the troop as well. You will both experience "growing pains", but if you find it is still problematic, I would address your concerns within your troop committee and/or the parents of the child.
P.S. Everyone should try and use people first language, i.e "a scout with ADHD" not "ADHD scouts". Theres nothing worse than having the other scouts label their own peers.
Hope this helps.
Yours in Scouting,
M.C.
Eagle Scout & Occupational Therapist.