WaIRiY FREE PlRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1989, PAGE 39 Resources for Exceptionnj Children Integration that benefits community the whole By Kim Hawley-Smith It wasn't so long ago that a child confined to a wheelchair or stricken with a speech impedi- ment, or who was slower in developing motivational skills, was confined to a world of isola- tion, segregated. from children without special needs. Today, under federal legisla- tion, children with special needs are no longer allowed to be segregated. And with the help of an agency ir-Durham Region, integration is proving to be bene- ficial to the whole community. Wben the federal government handed down its ruling more than two years ago to end segra- gation of children with special needs, a group of people in Dur- ham who had.previously been invoived in special needs schools,, got together with parents and the community to discuss how they could continue to help chil- dren with special needs and help success integration. As a result of the discussions, Resources for Exceptional Chil- dren-Durham Region was foun- ded. "It was really a result of the community," says Aidan Prince, a resource consultant with the agency. The agency naine was recently changed from Resource Teacher Program to better identify the clientele serviced and to avoid confusion with other agencies or services, according to Prince. "We service children with spe- cial needs and offer support groups for parents of special needs children," he says. Among its services, the agency avails an assessment team to carry out an functional assesse- ment in the home of a special needs child. Prince says the assessment in- cludes input from the family as well as teachers from the child's nursery school or daycare centre.1 The consulation includes a deve- lopmental test to.determine what level the child is at, what his strengths are and what needs of the cbxld need to be concentrated on. 'Everything is really an out-1 reach. Wego out to them,,,theyi don't have to come to us, in- dicates Prince. The agency has 11 resource consultants that will go into the nursery school, the daycare centre, or even community organized programs such as swimming classes, dance classes, girl guides, etc., to help assist the instructors. E "When we talk about inter-i gration, we're talking about kidsE being treated normally. They go to a normal school witb a normalt teacher. We're just there to help C that teacher," says Prince.C He adds, "We'll do anything 2 that helps the child to enjoy thee community better."r Last year, the Resources for Exceptional Children servicedt 294 children in the region.t In aIl, the agency services 62 community settings. "Because we service childrenr between the ages of two and six, the majority of our tine is spent in nursery scbools "says Prince. Teachers can also contact the agency about special needs chl- dren in their programis. However, Prince says parents' consent must be given before the agency can ste p in to aid the teacher-. The thing tbat is really special about"'Resources for Exceptional Children is that parents don't me.xotr.xfrae f "Parents can just call th agency and talk to the inta co-ordinator,"says Prince. The telepone cal] is then fo lowed up with an m-home inte view. Occasionally, the parents wi. be directed to another agenc that can better help to meet th needs of the child and the famil3 Prince says the whole proces involves input fron the famil: in accordance to their feeling and needs. "The resource consultants tak the lead from the parents. W. really want to work togethe with the parents and teachers, says Prince, indicating that thb consultants won't just walk int the setting and take over thi reins. Prince also points out that th< services of the agency are free, aE they are funded 100 per cent b: the Ministry of Community an Social Services. The services of Resources foi Exceptional Children extenc beyond meeting the needs of the child to include a support group to respond to the needs of the family. The support group is solely parent directed, according tc Prince. "They decide how often to meet and the issues they want to discuss over the year. The group currently has 20 parents wbo meet once a week. Resources for Exceptionai Children supplies videotapes and other resources for the group, and will also bring in guest speakers. In addition, the agency has a resource library at its office at 865 Westney Rd. S., in Ajax. The library there is filled with books, videotapes, and samples of toys. and equipment geared to the special needs children. The library is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Resources for Exceptional Children has-made its own video- tape, which is also available to the public. Prince says the video decribes the agency, but adds, "It's an introduction to intergration in itself." The video promotes awareness of support available for teachers and parents. But Prince says it's also oriented to parents who don't have special needs chil- dren. rWe want to make sure we communicate what resources and support is available; and that integration is positive for everyone." Apart fronmin-house programs, the -Rsources offers professional development pro ams for the community, including workshops and seminars to explain to and educate the public about special needs children. And the agency publishes a newsletter, four times a year, which is distribu- ted to parents, other agencies and schools. "We're all talking about integ- ration, and we're providing extra help where its needed," Prince a win its tird year of exis- tence, he says tbe agency con- tinues to grow, providing ser- vices for more and more children each year. "We continue to make our ser- the back." With the aid of the agency, and with the acceptance of integ- ration, he says the program has proven to be positive for everyone, especially the children with whom the special needs children are integrated. He says there is no longer the fear that children experience, or the uncertainty of how to react, when they are confronted with another child with special needs. "Integration is really beneficial to everyone," says Prince, who also indicates that children with- out special needs are helping their parents to understand and accept the special needs children in the community. The founding of Resources for Exceptional Children-Durham Region, is a success story in itself. "We've been described as being the leader in North America if not the world, for integratio'n," says Prince. He attributes success to the agency's use of the' consultation model. According to Prince, other agencies across Canada are cal- ling Resources for Exceptional Children for its ideas and guide- lines. For more information about the agency and integration, or how agspecial needs cbildncan benefit from the agency, call 427- 8862. UHRISTMAS TREES Ist Whitby boy scouts will sell Christmas trees from Dec. 2 to 23 at Jerry'sThe Drug Ware- house and Franklin Frozen Foods, 311 Brock St. N., Whitby. Cost of a scotch pine tree is $16. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Tree. sales are a major fundraiser for the scouts. For more information call 666-3247. GARDEN CLUB The Oshawa Garden Club meets every second Monday of the month at Centennial Uited Church, 19 Rosehill Blvd., Osh- awa, meetings starting at 7:30 p.m. Guest speakers, workshops and lots of fun. Ail welcome. F or more information caîl 430-1062. PC USERS The Christmas meeting of the Durham PC Users Club will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., at St. John's House, 64 Colborne St. E., Oshawa. Family members are welcome, ligbt refreshments will be available. For more infor- mation caîl Bernie at 655-4156. FAMILY CELEBRATION 'The Whitby Rotary Sunrise Club will hold its second annual 'Family Christmas Celebration' at Iroquois Park on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2 to 4 p.m. There will be, at no cost, family skating frorm '9 to 4 p.m. and family swiniming from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Special guests to attend include Rotar-y vice more efficient, says Prince, Sunrise Clowns, Tony the Tger, who also credits the many com- Coppertop, the Pilsbuty Dough munity settings for their accep- Boy, a Care Bear, a Hostess .tance of inte&Tation. Boyce,-CaeoBea, a ostess , gdun . tha LieoiaO.a f inee popl Qeerv course ~ anIta Claus. STUD STUD, ST Users of Durham, a users group which helps owners of Atari's ST and TT computers, ta get more out of their com- puters, will hold their noxt meet- in on Tuesday Dêc. 19, 7:30 ta 9:30 p.m., at Hentral Collegiate Institute (room 408B), 240 Sim- coe St. S., Oshawa. DRAUG The DRAUG (Durham Region Apple User Group) for Apple II series and compatable computers will meet at St. Andrews rby- terian Church, 209 Cochrane St. Whitb on Thursday Dec. 14, 1i p.m.Tis month's meetin will. focus on games for use wit the. Apple II system. Anyone over age: 5 will be.given the opportunity te try their skills at computer games. There will also be a flea market table set up those looking for peripherals and other gadgets. New members are wel-. come. For further information, call 427-8204 or 668-5022. WOMEN'SAGLOW Women's Aglow Fellowship will meet on Dec. 14, 7 p.m., at the Oshawa reaouroe centre, behind city hall. All attending are asked tebrin g an item for a baby layette for donation te an organizatian for unwed mothers. For more information caîl 436- 9425 or 623-3197. • COCAINE ANONYMOUS Cocaine Anonymous, a group which offers help and support to cocaine addicts, meets on Satur- days, 8 p.m., at Destiny Manor, Colborna .St. »E., .Qsh&wa..For more information call 436-8851. NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE A New Year's Eve dance will be held at Holy Family Parish Hall on Dec. 31, 8p.m. to 2 a.m Buffet and bar. Table reserva- tions will be accepted with sale of five couples or more on a first-come basis. For tickets, call· Brian at 668 -2379, John at 579-6448 or Ennis at 576-6936. GIFT DRIVE The Volunteer >Association of Whitby Psychiatric Hospital will hold a gift donation drive from Dec. 1 to 15. Groups or indivi- duals donating fts can drop unwrapped items etween 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the volunteer office, building 27. Call 668-5881, extension 5292, for more infor- mation. SOCIAL CLUB. The Pleasant Social Club for young and middle-aged widows and widowers will meet at 420 Wing, Oshawa Airport, on Sun- day, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Dancing, potluck and more. For more in- formation caîl Ermie at 683- 2045, Rhphat 725-7203, forbes at 430-0130 or Marion at 683- 3855. PRIDE PRIDE (People to Reduce Drunk Drivmg Everywhere) will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m., at the Durham District Health Council office, 40 King St. W., suite 300 (third floor), Oshawa. Guests are welcome. For.norfrmation.aJl. 723- 1928. New and improved THE NEW and improved Chalk Lake Spring water outlet on Lakeridge Rd. ( Regional Rd. 23) at Dagmar now provides visitors a parking area and quicker, easier access to spring water. Chris Bovie-Free Press photo Coming events