Parenting Challenges Of Disabled Children

By Staff

Monday, December 15, 2008, 15:07

As the rain poured high and cleansed the city with its chattery noise, I found shelter beneath the sheet of a bus stop. As I shivered to the cold blow of the wind, I saw a little girl holding her mother's arm with a gentle smile. She swayed her arms to feel the bliss of the chilled water drops that dropped with a rhythmic tone. Her mother joined her child's joy. After few minutes they settled down near my seat, both didn't speak a single word. It seemed, the eyes did all the talking. The girl opened her little book that had the baby pictures of everything from the bright sun to the naughty Jerry rat. The last picture was very unique, it was picture of a woman with a tear and a smile.

I asked the girl, "who is this?". She just glared at me with a smile. I repeated my question, "If you tell me who is this, I will give you a Cadbury?" She didn't answer a word. I thought the child was bit prisky to pass that odd smile again and again to my question. I looked at the mother for a response. She said, with a tear in her eyes and a smile on her lips "Ask her with actions..... she is deaf and dumb".

The agony of a parent having a disabled child is heartbreaking, but the state of the child is not much consoling either. To live a life with disabilities is not just a challenge to the child but also to the parents. Rather a bigger one, as they have to build the child to survive in the world with a head held high. Here are some guidelines to fade those tears and bear that smile for a life time. Read parenting tips for visually impaired, hearing impaired and dumb children.

Simple Guidelines For Parents With Visually Impaired Kids

Accept the harsh fact that your child is not ordinary. Never force them to do things that they cannot do. Rather boast their confidence with things that they can do with little effort. For instance, if your child is blind but is a wonderful singer, help them join singing classes. You never know he/ she may be the future voice of the biggest stars.

Let the act of expressing your beliefs, hopes, dreams and confidence be a routine part of your interactions with the kids.

Don't make them brood over a single place in the house. Give them responsibilities. This will help them be independent and survive the toughest wind.

Set realistic, positive expectations in accordance with a child's age, development and functional abilities. Let them be independent, when they do minute things like personal hygiene, dressing...etc. This is a good practice to start with younger children. Cheer them every time, they master these tasks. After they are firm in their duties, help them get ready for more.

Blind kids should be introduced to as many aspects of life outside their home and comfort zone too. Help them get exposured to new situations where they can learn to be comfortable in unfamiliar settings. Never make them dream about all that goody goody world, they need to understand that the world may be cruel to them, but at the same time they have the skills to get out of trouble or avoid it all together.

Celebrate your child's strength. Gift them a piece of applause amidst a group for all their well furnished qualities.

Simple Guidelines For Parents With Hearing and speaking impaired kids

Well! Most of the guidelines remain the same as the above. However some of the different aspects you have to concentrate are

Always remember, it is hard for them to communicate their own needs and dislikes. Make an attempt to understand them with action sand vice versa

Accept your child as he is. Allow him to feel unconditionally loved.

Join a parent support group where you can share experiences and worries with others in a similar situation. Educate relatives, friends, or neighbors about your child's disability and communicate your needs and feelings.

Increase understanding and love among siblings as having a sibling with a disability can present unique challenges for children. Do your best to help them understand their sibling's disability. Teach them how to help when they see their sibling in need. Discuss together ways to handle difficult situations. It helps the disabled child grow a normal life.

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Article Published On: Monday, December 15, 2008, 15:07 [IST]

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