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Every child with a disability has a unique level of functioning. It is
important that a parent or guardian adjust the following instructions to fit
the individual level of understanding of each child.
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Parents need to be creative in teaching a child safety tips – children will
retain an instruction better if it is explained and demonstrated. Using
different settings emphasizes some rules in effect.
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All children should be able to communicate their name; address, including
city and state and zip code; and phone number, including the area code. For
non-verbal or severely impaired children, a card, tag, or inscribed bracelet
can be used. However, there should be an understanding that identification
only be shown to an authorized adult.
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Do not place names or any other identification on the outside of books,
clothes, or other personal items, as this is a way of letting strangers
approach children with personal information.
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Teach your children never to admit to anyone over the phone that they are
home alone and to call the police or a neighbor if someone tries to get into
the house.
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Teach your children that a stranger is someone you and they do not know or a
“bad” stranger asks children to go with him, offers them candy or presents,
or asks them to keep a “secret.”
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Children should know they have a right to say “No.” They do not have to obey
strangers.
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Your children should know that adults rarely ask children for directions and
it is best to ignore people who do. If a person calls the child to a car,
the child should never go near that car.
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Children in wheelchairs should refuse unnecessary requests to assist them
with a polite, but firm statement that they can manage without assistance.
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Respect the reluctance of your child to be with someone that he/she does not
feel comfortable with. Some children with disabilities may not be able to
verbalize why.
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If your child is followed by someone that he/she does not know, either in a
car or on foot, they should never go to a deserted place.
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Practice with your children what should be done in a variety of situations
such as if they were to be separated from you. If you are shopping and
become separated, your child should not look for you but he/she should be
taught to go immediately to the nearest counter and ask for help. Always
reinforce that they should not go to the parking lot without you.
Written by Dr. Jessie B. Stewart and Kathryn Ellis, Community Resources
for Special Needs, East Georgia Learning Resources System, April 2003
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There is an
energy in us which makes things happen when the paths of other persons touch
ours.
from the Monks of Weston Priory
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