Disabled Children

Types and Characteristics

Children With Disabilities

• Disability—if their development or abilities are far below average in one or more areas

• The attitude of parents toward a child with a disability shapes that child’s future

Physical Disabilities

• Seek a complete diagnosis as you as you suspect a physical disability

• Early diagnosis and treatment help children reach their potential

• Keys to helping them learn independence: special exercises. Special equipment, understanding, and patience.

• Self-care skills are necessary to independence: eating, dressing, bathing, and using the toilet

Mental Disabilities

• Mental disability refers to limitations in the way a person’s mind functions

Mental Disabilities

• Diagnoses can be done early but is unsure

• Early intervention is best • Children with mental disabilities learn

and respond best when they know what to expect

• Directions should be simple and direct• Show the child what to do and repeat

the directions many times

Mental Disabilities

• The goal is to help them become as independent as possible

• Being accepted by others is also very important

Autism

– Wide range of behavior

– Tend to be focused on one thing to the exclusion of others

– Treatment = individual attention, small groups, patience

Learning Disabilities

• A limitation in the way a person’s brain sorts and uses information

• A specific limitation in acquiring certain types of information

Dyslexia

• A disability with reading, often sees letters or words in an order than they actually appear

• 1st step diagnosis, ideally before school

• Work with a specialist, treat or learn to compensate

ADHD

Less able to focus on an activity for a long period of time, they are easily distracted by other people and activities– A lifelong condition that

cannot be cured, but can be treated

– For effective treatment both medication and structure (behavior training)

Emotional Disabilities

• When a child’s behavior prevents typical development or disturb the lives of family members

• Usually becomes more noticeable and disturbing over time.

• Parents may feel ashamed to ask for help

Emotional Disabilities

• Behavioral Therapist—a professional trained in helping people work through emotional problems.

• Choose a therapist you can trust and feel comfortable with

• Treatment= spend individual time with the child, or introduce the child to a special activity such as gymnastics or music.

Raising a child with disabilities

• Guilt• Sadness• Anger• Frustration

Raising a child with disabilities

As much as possible parents should treat them just like any other children—especially in love and discipline

Raising a child with disabilities

Nondisabled children may feel resentful when the family makes special arrangements for the disabled child

Raising a child with disabilities

What parents can do:

explain nature of disability

Balance needs of all children

Raising a child with disabilities

• Support groups—gather for comfort, advice, and solutions to everyday problems.

• Keep parents up to date on research and treatment options.

Raising a child with disabilities

• Also help parents find tools to meet the emotional needs of their children.

• Giving the children inner strength, patience, courage, they need to cope with the disabilities