Advocate’s Role in Early Childhood Classrooms/Camp

An advocate is a shadow who facilitates a child with special needs inclusion in Early Childhood programming. This support person seeks to facilitate a child with a disability into a program to the maximum degree of involvement possible. No curriculum planning is required of the advocate, except insofar as the curriculum may need to be adapted to ensure the child’s participation in the program. 

An advocate/shadow’s role is to foster inclusion and blend into the classroom routine. When additional assistance is needed to adapt an activity or provide behavioral or social support it is the responsibility of the advocate. However, all other classroom staff should interact with the child with special needs as they do all other children.

When the child, with special needs, does not need direct assistance the advocate/shadow can assist and support the entire class.

ADVOCATE RESPONSIBILITES:

•Provide additional assistance (e.g., interpreting instructions, providing physical assistance) in order to help the child learn new recreation and leisure skills.

•Encourage social integration between the child with a disability and group participants without disabilities.

•Adapt activities, as needed, to allow active participation by the child.

•Provide positive reinforcement or other behavioral intervention, as needed, to facilitate the child’s involvement in the program. Respond, with sensitivity, to any questions, which might arise from children without disabilities regarding the child or the disability. Address any concerns to the Director of Special Needs Services.

•Provide any other individual assistance needed to promote the child’s general adjustment to the program.

•Information about participants in the ACHaD program is confidential. Please do not share information with outside agencies or school and educational settings. Direct any questions to the Director of Special Needs Services.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school degree, B.S. preferred, experience working with individuals wish special needs.