The Loop Spring 2015 web.pdf

IPSP Specialist Equipment
SPECIALIST
EQUIPMENT
A TOOL FOR
INCLUSION
Noah’s Ark provides Specialist Equipment to support services in the inclusion of children with a disability.
This program plays an integral role in enabling children with high ongoing needs the opportunity to
participate in the day to day activities of an early education and care service.
This Specialist Equipment service offers a variety of ‘tools’ for
the educator to enable the program to be implemented to meet
the needs of all children. Children need to feel they belong,
and be given the opportunity to explore, experiment and
achieve tasks and skills alongside their peers.
The IPSP Specialist Equipment is part of the inclusion process
and supports a holistic approach in determining your service’s
needs. The equipment also helps meet the individual needs of
the child and in providing an inclusive environment.
Accessing equipment involves a number of stakeholders:
educators, parents and therapists. Questions to explore
include:
• What is the child’s current ability?
• What does the child need to be able to do to participate in
the day to day activities of your service?
Specialist Equipment does play an integral role in the
therapeutic activities that can often be required to support a
child’s growth and development, especially in correct sitting,
positioning and standing. Viewing the equipment also as
a tool towards inclusion supports acceptance of diversity
and inclusive practice. This is a collaborative approach to
inclusion.
When a child is enrolled into your care, your first
conversations with the parents are important as this will assist
in identifying what equipment you may need.
Firstly, educators could reflect on identifying what “tools”
are needed to ensure all children have the opportunity to
participate.
In accessing the needs of your educators and/or service, firstly
think about what you actually provide:
• Does your service provide table activities as well as social
meal time experiences?
• Are children encouraged to develop independence in daily
living skills?
• Does your program offer indoor and outdoor experiences?
• Are there small group experiences to support children’s
development of social skills?
• Are there creative and imaginative experiences offered in
the sand pit?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions you need to
make sure you have the tools to achieve these.
Of course, in all your reflective practices you may want to
include these two additional questions:
• What does the physical environment look like, both indoor
and outdoor?
• Are there any safety or risk concerns for both children and
adults?
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IN THE LOOP