subject: Coping With Developmental Disabilities [print this page] Having a child with disabilities can put stress in or add pressure to any relationship. That's why it's very important to families not only to be strong for their child, but also for their entire family. The first step to coping is by learning.
What are the causes?
There are plenty of causes that could cause disabilities. Very premature birth is among the more common causes. Premature births rob babies the chance of fully developing in their mother's wombs. It's worth noting that this doesn't apply to all cases. Another typical cause is brain injuries or infection. This can occur before, during, or after birth. A mother's health through her pregnancy could also cause such disabilities. This is why it's important for mothers to seek proper pre-natal care. Abnormalities in chromosomes and genes have also proven to be yet another cause.
What are the different manifestations?
Developmental disabilities come in many forms. Among them are mental retardation, autism, and Down syndrome. Normally, signs won't be immediately noticeable. Most symptoms come gradually and grow more obvious as the child grows up.
When parents first realize that the kid may have a disability, the emotions could be overwhelming. Some point out that the pain is nearly comparable to suffering a major loss. And it's difficult to blame them for feeling this way. Hope in humanity would have us feel that all parents only desire the best for their child/children. They have every reason to be sad since a lot of the dreams they had may have been destroyed.
Parents should prepare themselves because caring for a kid with special needs would be emotionally, mentally, and physically draining. Emotions of fear, grief, and sadness will come up time and again. Along with this roller coaster of emotions, parents may usually see themselves asking "Why?"
Another thing parents must be able to face is the society's attitude towards children and people with special needs. Even though the attitude continues to improve through the years, negative views still exist. Keep in mind that lots of people in society will view the child as incompetent or incapable. Sadly, children with disabilities are at greater risk to experience bullying and teasing.
If you experience this, keep your head held high. Tell your kid about his or her condition when you feel they could understand and cope with it. It might take some time, so be patient. It's also important to understand that you're not alone. There are many places to get assistance or help. Kids with disabilities shouldn't be restricted to protected, isolated lives. Allow them to grow as people by exposing them to the world. It's not about the abilities a person has, but the quality of the lives they live. Keep in mind that even with disabilities, they could lead happy, healthy lives.
