Babysitting Children with Special Needs
Experienced babysitters gain the knowledge and confidence to care for neurodivergent, disabled and differently abled children, and become the prepared, caring sitter so many families struggle to find.
AT A GLANCE
| WHO IT IS FOR | Experienced babysitters ready to take the next step |
|---|---|
| PREREQUISITE | Safe Sitter® Babysitting or the Mindful Beginnings Comprehensive Babysitting Course |
| LENGTH | 60 minutes |
| TAUGHT BY | Registered nurses and certified educators |
UNDERSTANDING EVERY CHILD
Respectful language, and following each family's lead
Autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and intellectual disability in a babysitting setting
OT, PT, communication devices and school support plans in plain terms
Reading behavior: stimming, processing time and eye contact
PREPARING FOR THE JOB
Eight key questions to ask parents before every job
Understanding a child's communication device or system
Safety concerns such as bolting, climbing and water
Setting up the home for a calm, consistent visit
CARING WITH CONFIDENCE
Keeping routines and preparing children for transitions
Giving instructions that work
Creating a calm sensory environment
Mobility aids and simple adaptive tools
Meltdown or tantrum: knowing the difference and how to respond
When to contact parents right away
PRACTICE AND REVIEW
Five real world scenarios to think through together
A quick reference checklist to use on every job
WHAT IS INCLUDED
A registered nurse or certified educator as your instructor
An All Kids Welcome course guide for every student to keep
A quick reference checklist and trusted resources for continued learning
A certificate of completion for every student
A NOTE ON THIS COURSE
All Kids Welcome is part of our Advanced Babysitting Series and builds directly on the skills students learned in their first babysitting course. This is not a medical course. Students do not learn to diagnose, assess or treat any condition. They learn to show up prepared, communicate well with parents, adapt their care to fit each child, and stay calm when things are hard.
Families of children with special needs often have a hard time finding babysitters who are ready and willing. Graduates of this course leave as more confident, more valuable sitters who can make a real difference for those families.