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REACH (Reaching to Educate Children for Heaven)
hildren with special needs can have a range of diverse abilities, and their needs can vary widely, depending on their conditions. Special needs might include physical disabilities, learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, sensory issues, and developmental disorders, among others. Every child is unique, and finding the right combination of support and intervention requires a personalized approach. Helping children with special needs involves a combination of understanding, support, and practical strategies.
It's important to recognize and build on the individual strengths and interests of each child. Educators can educate themselves about specific special needs, whether they involve learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory issues, or emotional challenges. Collaboration between teachers and school staff can ensure all children’s needs are met.
Many of our Seventh-day Adventist schools strive to integrate children with special needs into general education classrooms as much as possible, with additional support provided as needed. This approach helps promote social interaction and reduces stigma. Early intervention and support can significantly improve outcomes for children with special needs. Services such as early childhood education, therapy, counseling, and medical interventions can help address issues before they become more challenging.
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We have also created a training course REACH: Creating Inclusive Classrooms. This self-paced, online course, on the Adventist Learning Community (ALC), introduces the philosophy of inclusion to help teachers create an inclusive environment in which they can enhance the various abilities of their students, enabling them to reach their highest level of achievement. It also expands on the REACH process of gathering data on specific student characteristics, identifying and implementing instructional strategies, creating and implementing a Measurable Action Plan, and collaborating with the local REACH team to address the learning needs of students, to ensure learning for all.
Building a support network between the school and home is extremely important, and providing parents or caregivers of children with special needs practical help and emotional encouragement can be impactful and meaningful. Sometimes, the best support is simply being there to listen, nonjudgmentally. Offering a combination of emotional, practical, and social support can help parents feel less isolated and more empowered as they navigate their unique journey.
Supporting children with special needs can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, you can make a significant, positive impact on their development and well-being. Take the challenge and become a REACH educator so you can better meet the needs of the students in your classroom.
The North America Division Office of Education (NADOE) recognizes that helping children with special needs involves a combination of support and practical strategies. Our NADOE REACH (Reaching to Educate All Children for Heaven) website provides a variety of resources to help the classroom teacher navigate the challenges of meeting the varying needs of all our children.
Fall ’24
Evelyn Sullivan, M.Ed.
Director, Early Childhood Education,
North American Division
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