b'When caring for a child with high needs or Other countries have similar programs, like Earlya child on the autism spectrum, the work is Intervention in the United States.rewarding but can be challenging at times.Over the years, I have discovered certain As a nanny, I have found the Infant Developmenttechniques that have helped me minimize Programtobeaninvaluableresourceandchallenges while maximizing the bonds with support. In my current position, I care for threethe children in my care and the parents for children under age five who have learning delays.whom I work.Thisprogramprovidesaspecializedteam,resources,andsupportforeachchildwithEstablish Clear Communication recommendactivitiesthatIcandotofosterClearcommunicationwithparentsis growthanddevelopmentinspecificareas.Forimperative when caring for a child with high example, to build physical strength, I incorporateneedsorachildonthespectrum.Asa sitting,walking,andbrushingteethintoonenanny, you must take the opportunity to sit childsdailyactivities.Havingthissupporthasdownwiththeparentsanddiscussthe been rewarding because together we can assistneedsofthechildindetail,focusing thechildrenbyincreasingtheirdevelopmentalespecially on what your role will be. Follow skills. thisupwithaweeklymeetingtodiscussdevelopmentalgoals,sharestories,and Maintain Structure discuss any challenges you may have faced Children on the spectrum require structure in theirduring the week. This is a great opportunity day. Structure helps them feel safe and secureTell Social Storiestogooverwhatstrategiesworkedand and know what will happen next. When there is a Social stories are invaluable for children with highwhatstrategiesdidnot.Havingclear lack of structure or predictability, these children needsandchildrenonthespectrum.Socialcommunicationcanhelpensurethatyou may feel overwhelmed and fearful, as they tend storiesaremade-upstoriesaboutsocialare understanding and meeting the childs tonotlikesuddenchange.Whenchildrenfeel situationsthatthechildmaybeinvolvedinorneeds and that you are invested in helping safe, secure, and prepared for what will happen aboutdifficultemotionsthechildmaythechildmeethisorherdevelopmental next, they learn better.experience.and educational goals.If you are working with a child on the spectrum, SometimesthesocialstoriesmightbeaboutUnderstand the Educational Plan feelings such as anger and frustration. The socialIfthechildisschool-agedandhashigh youcanhelpthechildanticipateyourarrivaleachdayorweekbymakingacalendar. storyoffersstrategiesandtechniquesthattheneeds or is on the spectrum, a special team child can use to calm down, such as taking deepmayhelpthechildmeethisorher Together you can plan and map out activities foreach day that include what you are doing, where breaths or counting backward. Social stories caneducationalgoalsthroughadapted alsobeusedtohelpchildrenunderstandtheirlearning.Thisteamwillcreateaspecial you are doing it, and when you are doing it. Forexample,ifyouvisitthefarmonTuesday routines and remind them of what comes next. plan for the childs education. In Canada,this is called an Individual Education Plan, mornings and the library Tuesday afternoons, youmay want to do that consistently each week. This Engage in Playwhichgetsfollowedatbothschooland When it comes to learning, all children can learnhome.Sincecontinuityisimperativefor willhelptofostertheroutineandstructurechildren with high needs, you will want to needed for these children to thrive.throughplay.Engagingchildreninage-befamiliarwiththisplansoyoucan appropriateactivitiesandprovidingthemwithimplement it while with the child at home. Be Prepared for Behavioral Issues richenvironmentstoexplorecansupporttheirAsktheparentstoreviewtheIndividual As with any child, there will be times when a child learninganddevelopment.ChildrenwithhighEducation Plan and any goals that the child with high needs or a child on the spectrum has a needs and children on the spectrum work hard toisworkingonatschoolsothatyoucan complete meltdown. Because children with high meet developmental and learning goals. Allowingcontinuetoworkonthosesameskills. needsdontalwayshavethewordstoexplain thesechildrentimetoplayandhavefunwillAdaptedlearningstrategiesmayinclude how they are feeling or the means to properly allowthemtoreengageinfocusedplayandreading to the child, following a behavior connecttotheiremotions,theymayhavea learning later. plan,completingmodifiedschoolworkat meltdown when they are feeling frustrated, sick,home, or working on a computer. or tired.CRESS SPICERBeFamiliarwithEarlyEducational Just like with a toddler who has tantrums, I allow CressSpierhasover25yearsofexperienceSupports a child on the spectrum or a child with high needs working with children who have high needs andFor families with a young child (newborns to tohaveatantruminasafespacewhile children who are on the spectrum. Cress holdsthree-year-olds) with delays or is thought to supervised.Iletthechildkick,scream,or herNurseryNurseDiploma(NNEB),herEarlybe on the autism spectrum, he or she may otherwise engage in the behavior, and when the ChildhoodEducationInfantandToddlerattend an Infant Development Program or child begins to calm down, I ask the child to tell Certification,andhascompletednumeroushave early interventions. In British Columbia, me when he or she ready to come and play. I professionaldevelopmentcoursesontopicsthese programs provide an amazing team offer plenty of space and a hug, but I let the child ranging from Autism to sign language. Cress hasof professionals, including physiotherapists, direct how he or she recovers. This may include workedacrosstheUKandCanadaandisoccupationaltherapists,speech-language being a bit withdrawn or quiet while reading a currentlywritingabookaboutherworkwithpathologists,andinfantdevelopment book. This period of time allows the child to self- children on the spectrum. specialistswhoofferhomesupportand regulate and calm down.support in the community.NannyMag.com25'