Disability Support
"Creating a welcoming environment is not about the setting—it's about how we treat and value each other."
AIMHiTN has an unwavering commitment to individual and organizational efforts that:
Recognize, reflect on, and promote self-awareness of preconceived judgments.
Embrace lived experiences and various ways of knowing and being.
Address barriers to child and family well-being.
Promote a sense of value and opportunity for all infants, young children, and the caregivers and professionals who care for them.
Settings that embrace individual needs have important benefits for all infants and toddlers.
Children will:
develop an appreciation for individual differences and the unique strengths and abilities of others
benefit from different pathways to engaging and learning in the early education setting
participate in and prepare for an ever-changing world
Research has found that children with disabilities in classrooms that embrace individual needs are more likely to engage in peer interactions than children in special education settings, and both children with and without disabilities make significant gains in early literacy scores while attending a high-quality early education program (Lawrence, Smith, & Banerjee 2016).
Why Does Embracing Children Matter?
There are many benefits to including children with varying abilities in early education settings. An environment that respects young children (including infants and toddlers) with developmental delays or disabilities, offers:
Access to challenging curriculum and learning experiences
Opportunities to develop age-appropriate social skills and early friendships and to build relationships with adults outside the family
Immersion in language- and literacy-rich environments
The development of self-help skills that promote independence over the long term.
Supportive classroom settings have important benefits for infants and toddlers without disabilities.
Research has found that children with disabilities in responsive classrooms are more likely to engage in peer interactions than children in special education settings. Additionally, both children with and without disabilities make significant gains in early literacy scores while attending a high-quality early education program (Lawrence, Smith, & Banerjee, 2016).
Children will develop an appreciation for individual differences and the unique strengths and abilities of others.
Children will benefit from different pathways to engaging and learning in the early education setting.
Children will participate in and be prepared for a world filled with people with different types of abilities.
Developmental Support Resources
Welcome to AIMHiTN's Resource Directory for Children with Disabilities, a valuable tool designed to provide information and connect families to essential services. At AIMHiTN, we believe that access to resources fosters greater opportunities and improves quality of life. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in the disability community feels supported and valued.
This directory is a testament to how accessible and effective assistance can be. To request updates or submit additional information, please contact Charlie Dugger, M. Ed., ECMH-E . Together, we can ensure that vital support and information remain accessible to all who need it.
Interested in a training? Visit our PP page for more information.
Information About Different Types of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, IDD
Has your child become newly diagnosed with a disability? Have you recently begun working with a child who has a disability? We are here to support you on this journey. Our platform offers a wealth of well-researched articles and information, carefully sourced to help us expand our knowledge together. We understand that this period can be challenging, and filled with adjustments, and we're committed to connecting you to the right resources to ensure your student or child can thrive.
AIMHiTN shares resources, materials, and programming content to support professional development and community education. The views, statements, and perspectives expressed in these materials do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of AIMHiTN, its leadership, or its funding agencies. AIMHiTN remains committed to accuracy and alignment with federal compliance requirements while fostering collaboration across partners and professionals.
Services and Supports: Early Childhood (Age 0-5)
Rooted to Grow Awards
The mission of the AIMHiTN Rooted to Grow Awards is to create a pathway for providers to assess their programs and develop high-quality practices for the infants and children they serve.