Yesterday I went in a family function,there was a 25 years old girls,who was mentally ill.But she was looking like 16 years.The ways she was talking,I could not understand a single word.
Small kids who were 8 to 10 years old,were making fun of her.It’s hearts to see all these.I am thinking about her parents.How they feel?
Raising a child who is mentally challenged requires emotional strength and also flexibility. The child has special needs in addition to the regular needs of all children also and parents can be find themselves overwhelmed by various medical, caregiving and educational responsibilities. Whether special needs of the child are minimal or complex, parents are inevitably affected. Support from the family, and friends, community or paid caregivers is critical to maintaining balance in the home.
Parents of mentally challenged children commonly experience gamut of emotions over the years. They often struggle with guilt. One or both parents may feel as they though they somehow caused the child to be disabled, whether from the genetics, or alcohol use,and stress,other logical and illogical reasons. This guilt can harm parent’s emotional health if it is not dealt with. Some parents struggle with why and experience a spiritual crisis or blame the other parent.
Most of the parents have aspirations for their child from the time of her birth and can experience severe disappointment that she will not be president, a physician or actor or whatever they had in the mind. These parents must deal with the death of the perfect child who existed in their minds and learn to love and accept the child they have.I think some parent feel embarrassed or ashamed that their child is mentally disabled.Shame on those.
Physical exhaustion can take toll on the parents of a mentally challenged child. The degree of this is usually relative to amount of care needed. And Feeding, and bathing, moving also, clothing or diapering an infant is much easier physically than doing the same tasks for someone who weighs 80 pounds.Child may have more physician and other health care appointments than a typical child and may need close medical monitoring. He may also need to be watched to avoid inadvertent self harm such as falling down stairs or walking into the street. These additional responsibilities can take physical toll on a parent, leading to exhaustion.
I think parent of a child with developmental disabilities may have to deal with complex issues related to education. Either a private education must be a sought, or an adequate public education must be the available. Parents often have to advocate for their child to receive a quality educational experience that will enrich her or him. This often requires close parental to contact with the school system. The parent must monitor the child’s interactions with others to ensure she is not being bullied also.Transportation and from school may require a specialized bus or van, and children with severe disabilities may need be schooled at home.
In my opinoin Raising a child with mental challenge may be the more expensive than the raising a typical child.And These expenses can arise from medical equipment and supplies also,and medical care, and caregiving expenses, most importanat private education, adaptive learning equipment or specialized the transportation.Care of the child may last a lifetime instead of 18 years. Parents may have set aside money in a trust fund for the child’s care when they pass away.
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A important issue which the society at large tends to ignore. Many children and in some cases elders too out of ignorance or deliberately call them mental which is a very sad things. I have personally counselled many people and have told they should not be called so and the have to be called specially challenged children or children with special needs. Many people after being made aware or sensitized at least do not use such words and at least are compassionate to them and accept them how they are which is a good thing in our society. They even see to it that they are protected from people who are bullying them.
I have worked for a few months in such a place and have counselled many parents care givers and I have taught these children. There are people who are above fifty years old but who have the mind of a ten year old. Many of the students of intelligent and they are able to learn English, Mathematics, Drawing, Puzzles and Singing too. They also sing the National Anthem daily along with the prayers and pledge once the school starts like any other school. I felt these children are far sensitive, have a better understanding of life appreciate life and are happy compared to the others who are not so. I cherish that experience in my life. I could not continue in that place due to some personal reasons but the compliment for me was that they were asking me to come and continue which I liked. Teaching methodology to be adopted there is different which I learnt too. It adds to my experience in teaching.
Mentally or physically-challenged children should be given enough support, and it is the parents who should be the first to do it. They should accept her as she is, that she could be different from other children, but she is also a human being who needs love and understanding.
It is good there are special schools for special children where they are given special attention and education.