MRDD Children

[dogpawstka]

Just wondering if any members of this forum have children with MRDD? If so, would one be interested in discussing the joys and challenges of such children? I have 110 children with MRDD, as I am a Service and Support Administrator for my County Board of MRDD. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed due to many crisis situations which have developed and because the holidays are always difficult for many of the children I serve. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, then I retuned to work on Monday and received five calls from families needing food, yeah, I felt horrible, then there was a shining moment: I was in an MH class and one of my kids who is six years old was able to crawl forward about two feet! His therapy is working!!! The smile on his face and his mother's brought tears to many eyes!!! :)

[hollyinpa]

Hi -

I have worked with young children with developmental delays since I graduated from college in 1991. I would be happy to talk with you, here or via email, about your experiences, issues, and frustrations. I wonder if the cruises make necessary accommodations for children with special needs. If so, do they have trained and certified childcare staff? I'd be more than willing to provide training/consultative services to cruise staff members if necessary. It would a great opportunity to offer families of children with special needs an opportunity to enjoy a vacation and feel safe and secure knowing that their children are having a great time, too.

Kelli...how do you guys prepare for and support youngsters with special needs on the cruises? If you need any input, feedback, consultation, etc. don't hesitate to contact me via www.learning4alifetime.com.

hollyinpa

[vespagirl]

I doubt that rfamily brings in special staff for their children's programs, as NCL already has staff for the kids clubs. As was noted on a similar post, I don't think families can reasonably expect that any cruiseline could provide specially trained staff for the myriad of possible afflictions/disabilities that passenger may present with. Other than ADA accomodations (primarily to address accessability issues) I would doubt they could provide anything more specialized. It is afterall a cruise, not a therapeutic setting.

[hollyinpa]

I appreciate your response.

I did not mean to imply that the cruise would be a therapeutic setting - even though it may be for some. I merely thought it would be interesting to hear how they do accommodate those kids that may learn, ambulate, or communicate differently. I don't expect the cruise to provide highly specialized staff members for a week-long cruise. It would most likely be costly and require a great deal of extra planning and supervision. I understand the basic ADA requirements and I am positive that the cruise mets all of those requirements. Just curious, I guess, to know if they make any other provisions for children and family members on the cruise who have special needs.

Again, thanks for your honesty...that's all I am asking for.

Have a great week.

[OneChip]

Hey I'm going to butt into a sort of private thread here, I too am a Special Education Teacher who working with Severely Multiply Handicapped Children. As far as accommodations are concerned NCL seems to provide all ADA requirements. The ship is handicapped accessible, many of the shore excursions are accessible as well, although it is not possible for all of them to be. Also many of the shows had an interpreter for the hearing impaired. On both previous cruises there were individuals with many different types of disabilities and they blended in just like everyone else. The staff from rfamily and NCL appeared to do a wonderful job taking care of Everyone's needs, not just the ones with special needs. No matter what you and your kids will have a great time, prepare for the greatest week of your life!

[hollyinpa]

I have no doubt that R Family Vacations and the cruise line does it's best to include and accommodate a wide variety of passenger needs. Having not been on their cruise line before, I guess I was just curious - from the perspective of someone who works daily with youngsters with special needs. I find it encouraging to hear your reports of the cool things they are doing on the ship (sign language interpreter, etc.). It sounds as if the trips are a blast! I can't wait to go on one in the future. I am actually considering inviting my brother, sister-in-law, and their daughter along, too.