California MAP^* to Inclusion and Belonging… ^*Making Access Possible Summer 2024 Newsletter

1. Coping with Trauma

It’s important for all early learning and care providers to have an awareness of basic skills addressing trauma and tragedy in early childhood. Coping with Trauma holds an array of information and resources to address that need. Two new resources are highlighted here. Safe Spaces is a free training module developed by the Office of the California Surgeon General. The second is Supporting Children Affected by Trauma, a video series with discussion questions, developed by Eastern Connecticut University. Links to other resources helpful in times of crisis from Sesame Street, Zero to Three and Multi-lingual Resources from the Child Mind Institute have been newly added to the MAP website.

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Safe Spaces: Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice for Educational & Care Settings (Video)

August 2023 | Length: 2:20 mins

Safe spaces, developed by the Office of the California Surgeon General, is a free, online training designed to help early care providers, TK-12 educators and other school personnel recognize and respond to trauma and stress in children. Each module is about two hours and is filled with case examples, videos, strategies and practices. Select the module(s) that best fit your professional needs. Learn more and take the training .

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Supporting Children Affected by Trauma: Video Series & Discussion Questions

Eastern Connecticut University | 2023

This series is aimed at providing basic awareness to early childhood educators about how experiences with trauma may manifest in the classroom, how educators might respond in the moment to trauma-related behaviors, and how to set up the classroom environment to support children with a variety of needs and build the resilience of all children. The three videos include:

• Understanding the Potential Effects of Trauma on Young Children (7:51 mins)
• Creating Classroom Environments that Build Resilience (6:26 mins)
• Responding to Trauma-Related Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings (8:25 mins)

2. Disability Specific

Basic knowledge of specific disabilities is helpful in gaining an understanding of general characteristics and proven strategies for working with a child with that disability. MAP has recently added new resources to support early learning and care providers as they include children with Autism and Down Syndrome. Learn more about deafblindness from training modules and parent videos in this newly added category of disability

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Autism

The Center for Disease Control reported that 1 in 22 children in California is identified as having autism. The high rate of autism makes it especially important for early care and education providers to be familiar with the characteristics of autism as described by the CDC , Evidence-based Practices on Autism from the federal Early Childhood Technical Assistance center (ECTA) and resources for Individualized Instruction for Young Children with Autism as described in the May 2024 Head Start Disabilities Services Newsletter and introduced below.

Individualizing Instruction for Young Children with Autism

Office of Head Start, Disabilities Services Newsletter | May 2024

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show differences in social and communication skills as well as restricted interests or repetitive behaviors. However, each child with autism — like every child — has unique learning and behavioral characteristics and needs for support. This makes planning for individualized instruction important. Each child’s strengths, interests, and learning style should be considered when selecting learning goals and planning for instruction.

This newsletter explains the unique characteristics of autism, describes effective teaching strategies and provides links to a variety of resources including articles, videos and tools as well as the AFFIRM training modules. An introduction to autism by the Autism Self Advocacy Network will help you understand autism from an autistic’s perspective. It also has specific resources that are helpful for families.

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Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome: Guidelines for inclusive Education

National Down Syndrome Society | December 2021

Down Syndrome: Guidelines for Inclusive Education is the first document of its kind in the United States. The document addresses the education settings that support students with Down syndrome, covering the period from early intervention and primary education through secondary and through higher education, with the primary focus being K-12 students.

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Short Films, Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

March 2024

Each fall, the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation releases a short film on a topic related to Down syndrome. In these films, we share the lived experiences of people with Down syndrome and their families, along with expertise from DSRF’s team of professional Down syndrome specialists.

CrossRoad: Where Down Syndrome Meets Autism (2023) features three families whose child has both Down syndrome and autism. The families open their lives to let us see both the joys and the challenges they experience as they navigate multiple disabilities. DSRF speech therapist Liv Meriano explains the similarities and differences between the two conditions, why it can be difficult to identify autism in a child who has Down syndrome, what to do if you suspect your child might have autism, and how to support a child with Down syndrome and autism.

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Deafblindness

National Center for Deafblindness (NCDB)

NCDB is part of a network of projects for children and youth with deafblindness (birth through 21) that includes state deafblind projects in every state, as well as Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Pacific Basin, and the Virgin Islands. We are funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Our primary mission is to support state deafblind projects as they assist educators, agencies, and organizations to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to help children with deafblindness learn, access the general education curriculum, and successfully transition to adult life.

If you have questions about this site or need assistance finding something, send a message to support@nationaldb.org.

NCDB Website Tour (Video)

USE OF "DEAFBLIND" VERSUS "DEAF-BLIND"

On October 1, 2023, NCDB changed its name from the National Center on Deaf-Blindness to the National Center on Deafblindness. The use of the term deafblindness, without a hyphen, is accepted usage in both the United States and Europe. It emphasizes that being deafblind is a unique condition and not simply the addition of deafness and blindness.

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Teaching Children Who Are Deafblind: Professional Development for Educators,

National Center for Deafblindness | April 2024

These modules are designed for practitioners who want to improve their knowledge of deafblindness and gain practical information they can put to use right away in the home or classroom.

• Module 1: “The Impact of Deafblindness on Learning and Development" Foundational information that’s essential for working with children who are deafblind (Watch the Module 1 Trailer)
• Module 2: “Early Intervention for Children Who Are Deafblind" Strategies for encouraging communication, concept development, and more for infants and toddlers who are deafblind (Watch the Module 2 Trailer)

User-Friendly Training Modules in this series were designed to be easily incorporated into a wide variety of in-person or virtual training programs, courses, or events.

Each module includes more than two hours of training, divided into four 30-minute lessons. For ease of use, each lesson is presented in three short video sections and includes additional activities and resources.

Read an overview (PDF) of the series, module topics, and project plans.

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Parent Perspectives Videos

National Center for Deafblindness

An important part of understanding and gaining practical skills for working with infants and toddlers who are deafblind is understanding parents’ perspectives.

In the short videos in this training module, you’ll hear from Kari Harbath and Madeline Cheney about what it is like to be the mother of a young child who is deafblind. Listen as they share their experiences during the critical years of early intervention and the teamwork that’s involved.

3. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body

This area of the website helps to expand resources that address the whole child with resources on physical activity, accessible playgrounds, mindfulness, yoga and self-care for adults. The latest additions include a video on mindfulness practices, an article from a dad on increasing access to nature for children with disabilities and a set of self-care activities encouraging play for adults.

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Mindfulness with Young Children

Eastern Connecticut University | 2023 | Length: 9:35 mins

Yoga, meditation, and other mindfulness practices can have powerful effects on children's ability to self-regulate, interact with their peers, and attend to school.

In this video, mindfulness expert Dr. Martha Goldstein-Schultz, preschool teachers Emily Grogan and Amy Figueroa, and 3rd grade teacher Erin Trudeau describe how to build simple mindfulness practices into the school day.

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Placemaking: How to build kinship and inclusive park spaces for children with disabilities

Children and Nature.org | Mark Davison | January 2024

As the dad of a daughter who experiences disabilities and as a professional who has spent his career working in National, state and city parks conserving nature and designing parks, I’ve found my professional and personal life at odds. My career path has focused on park planning, park design, visitor experience, land management and environmental conservation. However, much of the great work I believed I was doing in my job seemed to only create additional barriers for my daughter to access nature, from added steps on trails to inaccessible environmental education programs.

Over the years, Lydia has inspired me to think of and conceptualize accessibility in new ways within my professional role as the park planning manager at the City of Boulder, Colorado. She has been a crucial influence in this journey to ensure that not only she, but all children can universally access the many benefits of being in nature.

This is a very thoughtful article written by a father a child with disabilities who loves nature and would like to increase access and activities for children with disabilities in nature. Read this article for ideas and strategies to expand your thinking about how to enjoy and play in nature using universal design and a range of senses that we don’t always think about.

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Adult Recess: Night at the Museum

Children’s well-being is closely connected to the well-being of the adults who care for them. Adults who can regulate their emotions and behaviors, especially in times of stress, are better able to meet social and emotional needs of the children they care for.

One of the most fun ways adults can practice and increase their own emotional regulation is through play. Adult Recess is a series of animated videos that support participants in moving their bodies in mindful ways to promote and practice regulation skills. Each video guides participants in a warm-up, a game, and an ending reflection. Play alone, in a group, or with children!

4. Inclusive Practices

Inclusive Practices are the heart of the MAP website. Here you’ll find videos, tools, websites, books, articles, checklists and apps that will help you implement inclusive strategies and facilitate belonging. Recent additions address attitudes, assistive technology, resources for families on inclusion, training and tools for inclusion, research and policy.

Watch the 2024 World Down Syndrome Day video “Assume that I Can!” that dispels myths about Down Syndrome and disabilities in general! Read about new guidelines for assistive technology under IDEA and check how families can use assistive technology at home in the videos at the Step Up AT website.

Explore resources created by the Illinois Early Choices Inclusion Initiative including videos, training modules and the handbook on inclusion that they’ve created for families. Consider purchasing the new book by Jani Koslowski, Empowering Your Child to Fly, a handbook for families of children with disabilities.

Watch the Head Start webinar, Coaching to Support Highly Individualized Practices, and download the Head Start Inclusion App introduced in the webinar.

Rationale for inclusion based on research is easily accessible in the 11 page publication by Jenna Mancini Rufo, Research on the Efficacy of Inclusive Education. Building Inclusive State Child Care Systems, authored by the Division and Early Childhood and Start Early can be used as a tool for collaborative planning for inclusion in communities.

Learn more about each of these resources below!

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Attitudes Toward Disability

Assume I That I Can! World Down Syndrome Day 2024 (Video)

March 21, 2024 | Length: 1:30 mins

This short video produced in honor of World Down Syndrome Day brilliantly illustrates myths and stereotypes that can limit the potential of people with Down Syndrome and people with disabilities in general!

To learn more about this topic see the article by CBS News that describes the background behind the video: Viral Ad Challenges Perceptions of Down Syndrome

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The Truth About Diversity in Schools (Video)

Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak | February 9, 2024 | Length: 12:03 mins

In this recording, Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak discusses why presuming competence is necessary to address the diversity of the modern classroom, how our intentions can lead to ableist practices, why the dominant culture perpetuates ableist practices and exclusion vs. inclusion, and how to move away from a medical model.

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Assistive Technology Guidance and Resources

Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA

New guidance on Assistive Technology Devices and Services for Children With Disabilities Under the IDEA helps increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA’s) requirements for assistive technology (AT) devices and services. These resources from the Office of Educational Technology (OET) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) also dispel common AT misconceptions and provide examples of how to use AT devices and services for children with disabilities. Providing children with disabilities with the tools needed to succeed can help break down barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable educational system for all.

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Step Up AT

Step Up AT coaches teachers, teacher assistants, teacher support specialists, school districts, and other agencies to adopt evidence-based assistive technology (AT) practices. This evidence-based, customizable program helps improve early literacy outcomes for young children (ages 3-5) who have disabilities. It is recommended by the federal Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA).

• Early Literacy Training Courses provide easy-to-understand AT basics for both veteran and novice early educators.
• Guided Learning at Home is a video series that helps families promote early literacy at home.
• Additional videos are available on the Step Up AT YouTube Channel .

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Resources for Families on Inclusion from Illinois

Illinois Resources on Inclusion

The Early CHOICES inclusion initiative promotes increasing high quality inclusive early care and education for each and every child birth to age 5. Our goal is to increase the number of children with disabilities receiving specialized services in regular early care and education settings. The website holds free on demand training modules, Understanding Inclusion, for care providers and families. Find this and other resources in the links below.

• Illinois Inclusion Brochure (PDF) provides an example of a framework of information on inclusion that would be helpful for famililies.
• Early Choices, Illinois Inclusion Initiative You Tube Channel
  Explore training and informational videos on inclusion helpful for families and child care programs. It includes playlists for early intervention, early childhood programs, families and has several videos in Spanish.

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New Book for Families: Empowering Your Child to Fly

Empowering Your Child to Fly: A Family's Guide to Early Childhood

Jani Koslowski | June 1, 2024

Whether your child has received a diagnosis or is exhibiting behaviors that worry you, Empowering Your Child to Fly: A Family’s Guide to Early Childhood Inclusion offers advice for navigating the early intervention and special education systems from an educator who has experienced these systems as a child, as a parent, and as a professional.

This is a great resource to recommend to any parent of a child with a disability.

The book can be purchased on Amazon

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Coaching for Inclusion and an Inclusion App

Head Start Recorded Webinar: Coaching to Support Highly Individualized Practices

Updated June 24, 2024

All children benefit from individualized learning opportunities. However, some children need more support to assist their learning and participation. Coaches can help staff support individual children using specialized or intensive practices. It requires knowing what practices to use and when to embed them across the daily routines. This webinar explores highly individualized practices from the roof of the Framework of Effective Practices. Learn about the coach’s role in supporting coachees to use these practices in all program settings.

This webinar comes with a viewers guide and provides reflective questions to help Inclusion Facilitators determine the most effective strategies for inclusion of a particular child with needs for individualized learning. It includes an introduction to the Inclusion Lab App that is helpful for coaches, teachers and education managers in supporting individualized learning.

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The Inclusion Lab App from Head Start

May 2024

Inclusion Lab is a mobile application for disability services coordinators, education managers, and coaches. It's designed to help you support education staff to provide highly individualized instruction for young children with disabilities or suspected delays. Through the Inclusion Lab app, you can:

• Use strategies and supports across four instructional tiers to ensure each child receives the right type and amount of instruction.
• Use the Teach-Assess-Adjust process to select, implement, and evaluate instructional practices that support child learning.
• Access, favorite, and share key resources like planning forms, data collection tools, practice checklists, and decision-making guides.

This App may be helpful for Inclusion Facilitators to share with teachers and child care providers as they support individual children. You can download it from wherever you buy apps for your smart phone.

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Research and Policy Tools

Research on the Efficacy of Inclusive Education

Empower Ed School Solutions

“Arm yourself with a summary of the research on inclusive education.”

This 11 page brief prepared by Dr. Jenny Mancini Ruffo sites a base of research spanning over 40 years, comparison studies, research on students with complex support needs, and students without disabilities educated with children with disabilities. The research documents evidence supporting the clear benefits of inclusive education for children with and without disabilities.

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Building Inclusive State Child Care Systems

April 2024

“Building Inclusive State Child Care Systems” (April 2024), developed by the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and Start Early, is intended to support child care administrators, IDEA Part C and Part B 619 Coordinators, early childhood advocates, and other relevant groups. This tool provides an overview of the requirements for inclusion of children with developmental delays and disabilities in child care programs. It discusses  how the state Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan can serve as a vehicle for collaborative planning and implementation of state-level policy strategies that take full advantage of the opportunities available through Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to further inclusion in child care and provides concrete ideas for taking action to make inclusion a reality. This publication is useful to Inclusion Facilitators as it provides a summary of the law and the landmark successes that have helped to move inclusion forward in the past 10 years.

Download the Building Inclusive State Child Care Systems (PDF)