Supporting Scouts with Special Needs
Providing support to Scouts and adults with special needs
Every Scout deserves an opportunity to
participate, be respected, and treated as the rest of their friends in
the unit. While special needs units do exist, youth are best served in
their local unit along side their friends. To the fullest extent
possible, Scouts with special needs should be given the opportunity to
take part in all den, patrol, pack, troop, and district activities.
Some Scouts may require extra time and attention to achieve skills, and
greater patience may be necessary to guide these
Scouts, but the reward of success can make it all worthwhile! Clear
communication with parents, an understanding of the special needs, and
additional training opportunities can all be helpful to unit leadership.
Advancement
Scouts with special needs may be eligible for accommodations or
some flexibility to advance. Every
effort should be made to meet the requirements as written, but an
Individual Scout Advancement Plan (ISAP) is a helpful tool for parents and
unit leadership to develop a plan for success with the
Scout. In addition, the ISAP should be used, along with the Guide to
Advancement, to plan modifications or alternative requirements to
propose to the council advancement committee. The completed ISAP and
other documentation can be submitted to your district advancement
chair for consideration.
Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility
Youth with a permanent and severe disability that preclude typical
advancement are welcome to continue in the Scouting program beyond the
age of 18 (for Boy Scouts) and 21 (for Venturers). To apply, fill out
the Registration Beyond the Age of Eligiblity form found in related
content, and submit it to the district advancement chair. Eligible
conditions may include:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Cognitive disabilities
- Developmental delays
- Emotional, behavioral or mental
disorders
- Physical disabilities
- Multiple coexisting disorders.
Training opportunities
There are multiple opportunities to help you work better with Scouts
with special needs. One helpful document is the
Guide to Working with Scouts with Special Needs produced by the Boy
Scouts of America. Additionally, watch for special needs courses
offered at both the spring and fall University of Scouting.
Finally, an
awesome volunteer group has coordinated to produce a series of training
videos for working with Scouts with Neuro-Biological Disorders. These
videos are great as an introduction to working with
Scouts with a wide variety of diagnoses, but also come in handy if you
come across a specific situation. The video chapter
listing lets you find exactly which section you'd like to review and
the resource guide offers some additional definitions and tips for
success.
Watch Neuro-Biological Disorder Videos
Part 1 Neuro-Biological Diagnoses Introduction
- Section 1: Teaser Comments
- Intro and Section 2: Why Is This Important?
- Section 3: Leader Attitude
- Section 4: NBD Definition
- Section 5: How Can You Tell If A Scout Has A Diagnoses?
- Section 6: What Are The Characteristics Of A Scout With NBD?
- Section 7: How Are Scouts With NBD Just Like Other Scouts?
Part 2 Strategy and Tactics - Preventing Problems
- Section 1: Teaser Comments
- Section 2: Strategies and Skills for Working With Scouts With NBD: Preventing Problems
- Section 3: Preventing Problems: Making a Connection
- Section 4: Preventing Problems: No Surprises
- Section 5: Preventing Problems: Bullying and the NBD Target
Part 3 Strategy and Tactics - Managing Problems
- Section 1: Conflicts and Advice on How to Handle Them
- Section 2: Discipline and the NBD Scout
- Section 3: Meltdowns and How to Handle Them
- Section 4: Sleep Issues and the Scout with NBD
- Section 5: The Lazy Camper
Part 4 Meds and More
- Section 1: Communicating with Parents
- Section 2: Medication and the Scout With NBD
- Section 3: Meltdowns and How to Handle Them
- Section 4: Advancement and the Scout With NBD
- Section 5: The Upside to Scouts with NBD
Special Thank You to Northern Star Council's Innovation Committee for the financial support needed to make this project possible. The Scouters in the video: George Abide, Mark Andres, Tom Harkins, Chuck Jorenby, Jon Pederson, Cole Petersen, George and Mary Wangerin, and especially Dave Zdon, Producer/Director
Polaris Volunteer Support
Polaris is our special needs district and has volunteers that
are available to provide personal support, talk through complex
situations, and generally offer assistance for any parents and/or unit
leaders. Commissioners are
available to present at district roundtables, provide
information when working on the disabilities awareness merit
badge, and assist with units with specific issues. The commissioner
staff can easily be reached at [email protected]
Polaris Camporees
Polaris puts on a Spring and Fall Camporee each year.
These fully accessible events are open to any Scout who may have
participation barriers or just wants to hang out with more Scouts
like themselves.
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