All children are special to us, and so are their needs
DHCDC offers the Peninsula's only full-day, year-round preschool inclusion program for children with special needs. We also serve children with disabilities assigned to us through a partnership with Hampton City Schools through the IPOP (Inclusive Placement Opportunities for Preschoolers) program, which is a half-day program during the HCS school year.
Select classrooms serve up to four children with special needs, along with the typically developing students in the class. Teachers in those classrooms are part of an active IPOP team that meets regularly and works to ensure an equally rewarding experience for children of all ability levels. In addition, Hampton City Schools provides an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and Instructional Assistant to work with IPOP children.
Why is inclusion a good thing for my child?
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Typically developing children get the chance to:
• Increase their own skills through helping others
• Gain a more realistic and accurate view of people
with disabilities
• Develop positive attitudes toward people who are different
• Learn altruistic behaviors and when/how to use
such behaviors
• Be inspired by peers who successfully achieve
despite challenges
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Children with disabilities get the chance to:
• Be spared the effects of separate, segregated education—including the negative effects of labeling and attitudes fostered by lack of contact with them
• Be provided with models of new adaptive skills and how/when to use those skills through imitation
• Learn new social and communicative skills through interaction with peers
• Experience realistic life situations that prepare them
to live in the community
• Develop friendships with typically developing peers |
From a DHCDC Parent:
"I grew up with a mentally handicapped brother. As we were growing up I remember coming across people who did not understand why he did not act like other children. It is very important to us that our child is exposed to children from all different backgrounds so she will learn how to be more accepting.
We were very excited to learn of the inclusion program. It's heart warming to see how these children's needs are met and the other children are not left out. I can see a positive result of our child being exposed to children in the inclusion program."
DHCDC's Key Beliefs Regarding Inclusion
1.
Inclusion is about belonging and participating in a diverse society
2. Beliefs about inclusion influence its implementation
3. Programs, not children, have to be "ready for inclusion"
4. Collaboration is the cornerstone to effective inclusion programs
5. Specialized instruction is an important part of inclusion
6. Adequate support is necessary to make inclusive environments work
7. Inclusion benefits the community
