New Issue Brief on Afterschool and Special Needs

The Afterschool Alliance has just released a new Issue Brief, "Afterschool and Students with Special Needs," examining the role of afterschool programs in reaching out to and providing enrichment opportunities for special needs students. It includes examples from programs and promising practices for others interested in learning more, implementing, or incorporating successful strategies into their own special needs programs.

The Brief finds that "While all children benefit from high quality afterschool programs, afterschool gives children with special needs the chance to experience meaningful and authentic belonging. Beyond the benefits of providing learning and enrichment activities, afterschool offers children with special needs the chance to engage with their non-disabled peers in a way often not possible during the regular school day. Afterschool provides a safe haven where children with special needs can learn, play and succeed side-by-side with children of all abilities."

To view the brief, click here.

This story originally appeared in the Afterschool Advocate (Vol. 9, Issue 12).

Click here to read the rest of this issue.