Welcome to the Resources for Special Needs Scouting Session a general session at the Unit Support Conference

Welcome and Overview 2

It is the goal of the Pathway to Adventure Council to build and serve the healthiest and strongest units in the communities we serve

Working with Scouts with DisAbilities An E-Learning guide to help answer questions about Scouting for people with disabilities 4

A Disability is: A real and permanent medical condition that cannot be eliminated. A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 5 What is a Disability?

Different Categories of Disabilities: Learning Disabilities Physical Disabilities Cognitive Disabilities Developmental disabilities Emotional Disabilities

Tell Me More About Learning Disabilities Definition: A learning disability is typically determined by a team of professionals in a school setting. 7

Scenario #1: A Scout With a Learning Disability A Boy Scout is trying to write up his Eagle Scout project proposal and has a learning disability in written language. He struggles with organization and he struggles with putting his thoughts down on paper. 8

Scenario #1: Responses… Let the Scout…. Do his proposal on the computer Use pictures to help him give a verbal presentation of his project proposal Use a scribe to write up his proposal Present his material in sections 9

Tell Me More About Physical Disabilities…. Definition: A person with a disability that has any of the long lasting conditions that substantially limit one or more physical activities such as walking, climbing, reaching, lifting, or carrying (Erickson & Lee 2008). 10

Scenario #2: A blind Scout claims he has completed astronomy merit badge. You ask him how he identified constellations. He replied, his SM punched holes in a paper plates, held them over his head, outside at night, in the right place for the night sky, and he used his hands to feel and identify the constellations. Should this be acceptable? Why or why not? 11

Scenario #2: Responses Yes, this is an acceptable means for earning the Merit Badge. He completed the requirement with accommodations for his disability. We need to be creative in ways to help the Scouts be successful. If they can complete the requirements and learn and grow from the experience, we need to figure out ways to make this happen. 12

Tell Me More About Cognitive Disabilities… Definition: A significant sub-average intellectual functioning: an IQ of approximately 70 or below on an individually administered IQ test…Concurrent deficits of impairment in present adaptive functioning in 2 or more areas…” 13

Scenario #3: A Boy Scout with Down syndrome has signed up for summer camp. He and his parents have signed up for Merit Badge classes that they feel confident he can achieve with some assistance. Parents are not planning on attending with him. 14

Scenario #3: Responses The Scoutmaster should meet with the parents and Scout Accommodations/interventions should be individualized for the Scout. 15

Tell me More About Developmental Disabilities…. Definition: A child who is experiencing developmental delays as defined by the state and as measured by appropriate diagnostic instruments and procedures in one or more of the following areas: physical development, cognitive development, communication, social/emotional development, or adaptive development. 16

Scenario #4: A Boy Scout with Autism is trying to complete his rank of tenderfoot which requires him to jump into water and swim 25 yards. He will not put his face in water and struggles swimming any distances. 17

Scenario #4: Response… ONLY a T-2-1 requirement can be modified. The alternative requirement is developed by the SM, with help from the Scout, his family, professionals, other Scouters. Use Individualized Scouting Achievement Plan (ISAP) to document and get approval by Council Advancement Committee 18

Tell Me More About Emotional Disabilities…. Definition: (NAMI- identifies it as...) A medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that often result in diminished capacity for coping with the ordinary demands of life. 19

Scenario #5: A Boy Scout troop is going on a weekend camp- out. This scout has an anxiety disorder and struggles with sleeping in the dark. When he sees bugs, he has panic attacks and becomes anxious. 20

Scenario #5: Responses…. Questions about medications Parents accompanying a Scout on an outing Understanding triggers and interventions 21

Important Information To Be Aware Of…. #1. Accommodations or modifications can be implemented for any of the above mentioned disabilities. #2. Manifestations of disabilities vary by individual for named disorders. 22

How To Work With Scouts: Scouting is a” character building program.” We must REACH out to them and make sure they are part of the group. The Reach Method enhances programming. 23

The REACH Method R – Respect E – Encourage A – Accept C – Care H – Honor 24

Different Units For Scouts With Disabilities Traditional units Non-Traditional Units Councils may have different systems in place for how they meet the needs of Scouts with disabilities. 25

Resources #1. Parents #2. Scout #3. School Personnel 26

Resources (cont.) #4. Local Council #5. BSA Publications #6. Resources; Local and National organizations can also help with information regarding different disabilities 27

Advancement Cub Scouting - In Cub Scouts, “Do you best” you can is the guide for achieving advancement Boy Scouting - Alternate Age Requirements 28

Advancement For Boy Scouts Rank Advancement: Waivers Modifications Merit Badges 29

Alternate Rank Requirements 30 Standard Rank Advancement Requirements Use Standard Rank Advancement Requirements No Yes Does Scout Have a Disability? Document Scout’s Disability Scout, Parents, SM and other Resource Individuals Craft Proposed Alternate Requirement(s) (Follow steps in “Documenting a Disability”) (Do as many as possible.)

Questions And Answers Q. I have a Scout who is deaf and needs an interpreter, what do I do? A.Contact your local college to see if they have an American Sign Language program. Students typically require a certain amount of service hours for credit to graduate. These are typically free. 31