Need advice on this situation.

[paw_prints24]

HI, I am a Nanny for a family with six children. All the children have special needs in some where from food allergies to mental disabilities. I would like some in sight on how I can help each individual child overcome their struggling battles that they have everyday. The four older children have a past that no child should ever have to go through. Each child is uniquely different in their own ways. They have positive traits and they have their sets of weaknesses that they have to battle with everyday. I want to help them learn to cope with things that come in their lives such as getting into for not listening, getting into trouble for not following rules, and what is asked of them. They constantly argue with one another and they don't interact much with each other. (the four oldest). The two younger ones are 2 and 4 so, they have their share of weaknesses and strengths as well. Not to mention the family watches two children on a regular basis, and one of the children has autism, he is 5 years old and his mom won't give him the help that he needs, which is another situation in its self. He needs help with speech and sometimes, you can't understand what he is trying to communicate. He is not potty trained and he will be in Kindergarten next year, part of it is that his mother is too lazy to commit to potty training her two young children as this is an important live skill. If her children don't learn this skill they will be in diapers, or depends as adults and they will have to learn how to clean themselves up after an accident.

[Ada]

That's a huge question. I guess the main thing I would say is. You can help. But you can't fix everything. I'd tackle the areas that you have most control over. The two children who visit, I don't think there's much you can do there. Other than consider reporting them to Child Services. Given that a lack of potty training. Could indicate other kinds of neglect too. And even if there isn't, it might be that professional involvement. Opens up a door for getting additional support.

In terms of helping the six children you are mainly working with. What support does the family have already? Is there a psychologist or family support worker involved? I wonder about using something like ABLLS to assess where they are. As that can help target incremental skill acquisition. I've used this, but only for one child. However, you could perhaps focus on a different area with each child. Rather than trying to cover everything. It doesn't tell you how to teach / support skill development. But in working with a single child. I found it very helpful to break down the steps for each skill. And then it was easier to devise activities which exercised those.

As a general idea for the older children's interactions. I wonder about playing a short game together each day. Board games, as long as they don't take too long. Would help to support turn taking, rules following and listening.

Also, making sure that they are all supported in developing a unique hobby or special interest. That helps them have something that's "theirs" to focus on. Whatever they choose will teach certain skills over time. And maybe it'll give them something positive to talk about. Either between themselves. Or with adults. So they're getting lots of positive attention. Rather than having to act out to get noticed at all.