Whose Choice is It? Contemplating Challenge-by-Choice and Diverse-Abilities

Abstract

This article examines the ethical dilemmas experienced by the authors that arose during a challenge course event with a child with special needs. Through written narrative accounts of this event, the authors offer their perspectives of questions and considerations surrounding the Challenge-by-Choice philosophy when working with children with special needs. Core values of Challenge-by-Choice are discussed, as well as basic philosophical tenets surrounding aspects of choice. Lessons learned from the personal experience are offered in the hopes of sparking discussions among other practitioners, and preventing similar situations from arising elsewhere.