Adjustment

Problems

of the

Exceptional

By: Taya E. NilongGen. Santos City

Words to Remember:

1. Somatopsychology is the study of the ways in which physique may influence behavior by mediating the effectiveness of the body as a tool for actions or by serving as a stimulus to the self and others.2. Etiology is the study of causation, or origination.3. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual,imagined, or implied presence of others.[1] By this definition,scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation.4. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual,imagined, or implied presence of others.[

5. Organic Inferiority - it was Alfred Adler, who coined the term organic inferiority which is latter called as inferiority complex.-the state of organic inferiority as a factor in neurosis before linking it to the newborn child's state of physiological immaturity.6.

HENRY J. VISCARDI JR.

Henry J. Viscardi Jr. of New York is a business executive and head of the company Abilities, Inc.,that employs 400 workers and does a subcontract Business that grosses millions of dollars a year.Mr. Vizcardi’s achievement is unusual because,Because born without legs, he fought for an educationand established a successful business. All his employees have impairments but are given jobs according to their capabilities .

He has lived through the struggles, discouragements, and disappointments faced by most person with serious disabilities. He has carved for himself a successful business career and has madeit possible for other

with serious physical impairments to find employment not only in his own plant but also in other industrial organizations around the globe.

He also founded a school for the disabled person and named it after him.

http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=henry+viscardi+at+13&um=1&hl=tl&biw=1366&bih=576&tbm=isch&tbnid=04hejhV-SQHQeM:&imgrefurl=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/gallery.htm?id=21827&docid=6Y9GwZvtcRZEtM&w=960&h=540&ei=x9VaTuXhAuqDmQW08cCfDA&zoom=1

Broadened

Interest

in the

Exceptional

Problems of the

exceptional

wars

legislation

private &publicorgs

groups

InterestIncreased investigation and research

Prevention, detection, improvement and correctionOf impairments has become possible

Scientific Methods are being utilized

in broadening the understanding of

adjustment mechanisms and the

social and psychological problems of

the exceptional. A highly regarded

concept is that personal adjustment to

an impairment is largely a problem of

social psychology, that adjustment is

best understood in terms of the effect

in deviation upon personality and

social behavior of the individual and

his impairment

EFFORTS AT EXPLAINING

THE EFFECTS OF AN

IMPAIRMENT

It is important that a teacherin adapted physical education understood the effect of theimpairment on the personality.

*Often a child does not realize he has an impairmentUntil society calls attention to it- puts label on him;then the condition frequently becomes a handicap.

*Many people with impairments are nothandicapped; they have learned to accept theirconditions and above all have learned to stresstheir capabilities, not their limitations.

*Often the environmental impact is in the conflict with the person’s own appraisal of his condition.

*The plain truth is that there is social bias against the impaired. The impaired person then tries to work out some kind of an adjustment.

*He may try to work out a proper blending of the two responses, his own and that of his environment. The latter position is the most likely to lead toan adequate adjustment.

Major Theories

Explaining the

Behavior of the

Impaired

According to Lee Meyerson, a

psychologist, physical impairmentsare simply variations in Physiquesfrom which certain generalization are made. He quoted as follows:1. Physique is a social stimulus2. It arouses expectations for behavior.3. It is one of the criteria for assigning

a person to a social role.4. It influences the person’s perception

of himself both the direct through comparison with others and indirectly

Through others expectation of him.5. Comprehension of the kind, extent and degree of socially imposed handicapped on a person with atypical physique is basic to an understanding of the somatopsychology of physical disability.

Alfred Adler (1870-1937) believed the basic cause of Inferiority to be organic inferiority. He wrote, “the possession of definitely inferior organs is reflected upon the psyche—and in such a way as to lower the self-esteem, to raise the child’s psychological uncertainty.”

Later studies about adLer’s concept: They found that although inferiority attitudes and compensatory behavior are shown by the physically impaired, they are not exhibited by all exceptional persons. The consensus today is that organic inferiority may sometimes produce feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. Whether such feelings exist, however, depends upon the individual; they are not universal.

Other Theories of Somatopsychological Effects on Impairments

Meng (1987) – although there are often factors in the environment of a crippled person that tend to produce psychological distortion, other factors Tend. To lessen its probability. He offers some sound advice as follows:

1. The chief task of parents and teachers of physically handicapped is to diminish anxiety of the child. This may require that the child be measured at an early age that the parents are not to blame for his handicap.2. Premature, superficial development of the child may be prevented by providing opportunities to play. The provision of motor outlets for both physically handicapped children and adults is extremely important.3. The handicap of person can often be helped to set realistic goals.To ensure satisfaction, the goals should be of maximum difficulty achievableby him. If the goals are set too low, apathy may result. If set too high, frustration and loss of self-esteem will follow.4. The crippled person must be taught to accept his disability withoutjealousy of others and without making extravagant demands upon them. He must be helped to reject unnecessary support and protection from others.

Shaffer’s Views on the Psychology Adjustment

1. In enumerating typical personal deficiencies that giverise to defense mechanisms, physical or structural inferiorities probably should take first place. Frailness, lameness, and other structural anomalies; lack of skill,strength, and endurance to compete in games; and rough and tumble play relationships are important causes of inferiority attitudes.

2. Inferiority attitudes may be heightened by the addition of scorn, ridicule, and harsh discipline. Maladjusted parents and teachers may augment the developmentof inferior feelings by harsh treatment.

3. The first response in the development of inferiority attitudes is simple withdrawal. After trying a number of responses to adjust to his inferiority (attemptsto reduce tension caused by inferiority) an individual selects and stays with those giving the greatest satisfaction (tension-reducing responses), and these becomewell-organized habits. Blustering, shyness, over-aggressiveness, seclusiveness, excessive daydreaming are some typical adjustment mechanism. The acquisition of defense mechanism is usually the result of trial and errorexperience.

THE EXCEPTIONALS REACTFrom the exceptional themselves one perceives a variety

of reactions, ranging from good adjustment to severe maladjustment. In fact, their exhibited behavior and their inner feelings are as varied as the findings of those who seek to interpret them clinically or statistically- and seemingly ascontradictory. In general, the exceptional want more than anything else to close the social gap that the other members of society create by their attitudes and behavior. As oneexceptional university student expressed it, “ More than anything else I want to get on my feet again; to be like you; like others.” What the physically or mentally impaired

What the physically or mentally impaired want most issocial acceptance. They are willing to accept limited participationbased on reduced capacity, but too many times they find it reduced capacity viewed as total incapacity.

Another matter that greatly disturbs the exceptional is the fact that because of an impairment they are regarded as “different.” They feel hurt and resentful because they are looked upon as having lost some of the qualities of humanness.

the parent’s Role

Parents can and should play a key roleTreat the child in the home as normal. Seek help from physicians, therapists

and readings .Become the active member of the

habilitation team for their child.Must learn simpler techniques of treatment

and conscientiously carry on thework as outlined by the professionals.

STEPS TOWARDS ADJUSTMENTS

1. Facing reality.2. Recognizing problems of the social interactions.3. Seeking the greatest possible medical and surgicalcare.4. Investigating various aids and prostheses.5. Acquiring as much general and special education

as possible.6. Seeking vocational guidance and counseling.7. Seeking aid from nonofficial an official agencies.8. Blueprinting living around the remaining abilities

instead of the disability.

THE END