ABSTRACT
A happiness when a woman in a family gives birth. Moreover, the baby who wasborn has been waiting long enough. However, sometimes what is expected byhumans is not always the same as what was presented by the creator. Thenwhat if it turns out that children who are present in the family are specialchildren? These children need special attention due to physical and mentaldisorders. Not a few parents must have children with special needs (ABK)confused, shocked or even blame each other. This is certainly not something thatis expected from children. ABK requires education, attention, assistance, speciallearning methods. Thus ABK parents must get special assistance so that theycan accept their child and educate the child with great attention and love. ABKparents must be assisted from early childhood, so that education and care aremore optimal. Counseling for ABK parents is done so parents do not feel alone,not ashamed, willing to accept and have a great readiness to accompany theirchildren in the future. The counselor is expected to be able to help ABK's parentsby providing counseling services specifically to guide parents. The guidance alsoserves to help parents provide alternative education and therapy that can begiven to children with special needs from an early age.
Keywords: children with special needs, counselling, and guidance
ABSTRAK
Sebuah kebahagian ketika seorang perempuan dalam sebuah keluargamelahirkan. Apalagi buah hati yang dilahirkan telah ditunggu cukup lama.Namun, terkadang apa yang diharapkan manusia tidak selalu sama dengan apayang dihadirkan oleh pencipta. Lalu bagaimana apabila ternyata anak yang hadirdalam keluarga adalah anak yang special?. Anak tersebut memerlukan perhatiankhusus baik disebabkan kelainan fisik maupun mental. Tidak sedikit Orangtuaharus anak berkebutuhan khusus (ABK) mengalami kebingungan, kaget ataubahkan saling menyalahkan. Hal ini tentu bukan hal yang diharapkan dari anak.ABK memerlukan pendidikan, perhatian, bantuan, metode belajar khusus.Demikian orangtua ABK harus mendapatkan pendampingan khusus agarmereka bisa menerima anak mereka dan mendidik anak tersebut dengan penuhperhatian dan cinta yang besar. Orangtua ABK harus dibantu sejak anak usiadini, agar pendidikan dan pengasuhan lebih optimal. Konseling bagi orangtuaABK dilakukan agar orang tua tidak merasa sendiri, tidak malu, mau menerimadan memiliki kesiapan hati yang besar untuk mendampingi anak mereka dikemudian hari. Konselor di harapkan mampu menolong orang tua ABK denganmemberikan layanan-layan konseling khususnya membimbing orangtua.Bimbingan tersebut juga berfungsi untuk membantu orangtua memberikanalternatif pendidikan dan terapi yang dapat diberikan pada anak berkebutuhankhusus sejak usia dini.
Kata kunci: anak berkebutuhan khusus konseling, dan bimbingan
The Inclusion of Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood: Challenges and Dilemmas of Kindergarten Teachers