A PERFECT FIT
A Volunteer Training on 4-H
Involvement for Youth with
Disabilities
By: Nicole A. Bertke
Palm Beach County 4-H Extension Agent
1
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What is a
developmental
disability?
How does involving
children with
disabilities fit with
the mission of 4-H?
What are some of the
disabilities 4-H
members might have?
What are some things
to keep in mind when
working with disabled
youth?
What support can the
4-H office provide to
help volunteers involve
more children with
disabilities in club work?
2
What is a developmental disability?
A developmental disability is defined
as a physical or mental impairment
that limits one, or more, major life
activity and appears before age 18.
Sources of Information
A Perfect Fit: 4-H Involvement for Youth with Disabilities, 4-H 788, CES of Purdue University
What's Your Handicap? 4-H Leader's Curriculum Guide, CES of North Carolina State University
Together: A Leader/Agent Workbook for 4-H Programming to Include Youth with Disabilities, 4H0-0241,
National 4-H Council
Recreation and Handicapped Youth: 4-H Recreation Leader's Guide, 4H0-0240L, CES of the Pennsylvania
State University
3
How does involving children with
disabilities fit with the mission of 4-H?

Deficits in important life skills often show up in
the areas of problem solving, decision making,
interactions with others, and goal setting and
attainment in children with disabilities.
Fortunately, it is these very life skills that 4-H
attempts to improve in a all of its youth
participants. Through involvement in the 4-H
program youth with disabilities will improve their
basic life skills, thereby increasing their chances
of a higher quality of life and of becoming
independent, productive members of society as
adults.
4
What are some of the disabilities
4-H members might have?





Downs Syndrome
Autism
Tourette Syndrome
Epilepsy
Spina Bifada





Muscular Dystrophy
Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis
Mental Retardation
Visual, Hearing,
or Physical
Impairments
5
Downs Syndrome
This is the most common and readily
identifiable condition associated with
mental retardation. It is caused by a
chromosomal abnormality. Characteristics
of a child with Downs may include poor
muscle tone, slanting eyes, short and
broad hands, short neck, small head, heart
conditions, gastrointestinal difficulties, and
a large tongue. The level of retardation
may range from mild to severe, with most
functioning in the mild to moderate range.
6
Autism
This is a syndrome believed to be
caused by an underlying physical
dysfunction within the brain or
central nervous system. It is four
times more common in boys than
girls. Symptoms include lack of a
social smile, abnormalities in eye
contact, difficulty in communication,
difficulty forming relationships,
repetitive movements, and mental
retardation or giftedness.
7
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological
disorder characterized by tics “involuntary”, rapid, sudden
movements or vocalizations that occur
repeatedly in the same way. There
are periodic changes in the number,
frequency, severity, type, and location
of the tics. Symptoms can disappear
for weeks or months at a time.
8
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a physical condition that
occurs when there is a sudden, brief
change in how the brain works
altering a person’s movements or
actions for a short time. These
physical changes are called epileptic
seizures and vary in intensity, length,
and impact on the brain. Mental
retardation may or may not be
present.
9
Spina Bifada
Spina Bifada means cleft spine,
which is an incomplete closure in
the spinal column. It can vary in
severity. In the most severe form
there can be muscle weakness or
paralysis below the area of
incomplete closure, loss of
sensation, loss of bowel or bladder
control, and build up of fluid on the
brain. Cognitive function varies
10
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy refers to a
group of genetic diseases marked
by progressive weakness and
degeneration of the skeletal, or
voluntary, muscles, which control
movement. Muscles of major
organs may also be involved.
The individual may experience
respiratory difficulties.
11
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused
by damage the brain, usually
occurring before, during, or shortly
following birth. It is characterized by
an inability to fully control motor
function. It may include spasms,
involuntary movement, tonal
problems, unsteady gait, seizures,
impairment of sight, hearing, or
speech, and mental retardation.
12
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder
that causes the body to produce an
abnormally thick, slimy mucous in
organs such as the lungs and
pancreas. The symptoms include
persistent coughing, wheezing, or
pneumonia, excessive appetite but
poor weight gain, and salty tasting
skin. It varies in severity and often
results in shortened life-span.
13
Mental Retardation
People with mental retardation are
those that develop at a below
average rate and experience
difficulty in learning and social
adjustment. The extent of
impairment can range from mild,
moderate, severe, or profound.
Children with MR do become adults;
they are not “eternal children.”
14
Visual, Hearing, or
Physical Impairments
There is a wide range of visual,
hearing, and physical impairments
that may stand alone as a
disability or may be present with
any of those discussed previously,
as well as with many not
mentioned.
15
What are some things to keep in mind
when working with disabled youth?
Begin by creating an environment in which all
members feel accepted and secure
Include the members with disabilities by
accepting them as individuals who have the same
needs, desires, and problems as other youth
Help the disabled child to help him or herself.
This will lead to increased independence
Include the members with disabilities by
accepting them as individuals who have the
same needs, desires, and problems as other
youth
16
Tips continued...
Help the individual to set goals and
standards that allow for self-satisfaction
and achievement
Center activities around normal
behaviors of the age group
Do not let the disabled youth be
the center of attention or provide
them with special privileges
17
Tips continued...
Learn about the child’s disability
with an intent to know their abilities
and limitations
Talk to the parents of the child.
They often can provide you with
extra hints concerning their child’s
abilities
Ask the participants what they
would like to do. Disabled children
can help you concentrate on their
abilities, not their disabilities
18
Tips continued…
Encourage full participation in all activities
Be firm and use behavioral modification
techniques when needed, but also be
quick to praise
It may be necessary to alternate
between quiet and action activities to
avoid over stimulation
Break tasks down and demonstrate
requests as necessary
19
Tips continued...
Focus on activities that foster
cooperation rather than competition
Assess the physical environment
and make adaptations as needed
Encourage physical activities but allow
multiple ways to be involved
Ask what help is needed rather than
assuming the person needs assistance
20
Tips continued...
Be aware of any medications being
used and their side effects
Prepare the other youth in your club to
work cooperatively with the child with a
disability
Remember each person has a
chronological age, an emotional age,
a social age, and a given level of
physical activity. They may be
functioning at different levels in each
of these categories
21
What support can 4-H provide to
help volunteers involve more children
with disabilities in club work?
The Florida 4-H Program is working very
hard to make the program more appealing
and accessible to youth with developmental
disabilities. Activities taking place or being
prepared include trainings such as this one,
recruiting volunteers to establish new clubs,
recruiting children with disabilities, and
adapting projects and activities to the needs
of individual youth. Please do not hesitate to
contact our office for the support you need
as you take on the endeavor of working with
youth with disabilities.
22
23
24