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