Parenting a child with a disability means that you see firsthand how hard it is for your child to make friends. The unfortunate truth is that our present society is not so welcoming to people with disabilities. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Although children can be the source of serious teasing and bullying, they are also capable of being the kindest and most open-minded people. It’s so important to teach children about acceptance because it will benefit them and the people they come into contact with throughout their lives. Here are some simple tips to help when you find you need to explain your child’s disability to their peers.
Model Respectful Conversation
Oftentimes, when children see someone who has a disability, they might be shocked or even afraid at first. On the other hand, many children aren’t afraid to stare openly or make unwarranted comments. Remember to be patient and take this as a teaching opportunity. Let other children know that you are open to answering their questions. And try to explain your child’s disability in a calm and straightforward manner. Breaking the ice a little bit can be enough for your child and the other children to become comfortable with each other. When talking to children, set an example of respectful language to use. For example, use words that emphasize that, although your child is different, there is nothing “wrong” with them. You probably know that it’s best to avoid phrasing like “he’s autistic” or “she’s disabled” because it equates your child to the disability. Instead, saying, “he has autism” will help other kids to see that your child is a full person whose identity is not limited to their disability.
Focus on Positivity
Children tend to lack a filter when it comes to reacting in ways that could be hurtful towards a child with a disability. They might not realize it’s offensive to use blunt phrasing like “what’s wrong with her legs?” when they see a girl in a wheelchair. However, a child’s natural openness is a gift because they don’t have the same barriers adults have that cause people to subconsciously distance themselves from someone with a disability. Embrace the opportunity to point out the positive aspects of your child. Talk about how they are similar, or encourage your child to talk about their favorite color or movie, for example. The more you do this, the easier it will be for children to understand that a child with a disability is still a normal person just like them.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Ikiwa wewe ni mzazi wa mtoto mwenye ulemavu, unaweza kuona jinsi ilivyo vigumu kwa mtoto wako kupata marafiki. Ukweli wa kusikitisha ni kwamba jamii yetu ya sasa haikaribishi sana watu wenye ulemavu. Hata hivyo, hii haipaswi kuwa kesi. Ingawa watoto wanaweza kuwa chanzo cha dhihaka na unyanyasaji mkubwa, wao pia wana uwezo wa kuwa watu wenye fadhili na wenye akili ya wazi zaidi. Ni muhimu sana kuwafundisha watoto juu ya kukubalika kwa sababu itawanufaisha wao na watu wanaowasiliana nao katika maisha yao yote. Hapa kuna vidokezo vichache vya kusaidia wakati unapopata unahitaji kuelezea ulemavu wa mtoto wako kwa wenzao. Kwa mfano, wakati watoto wanapomwona mtu mwenye ulemavu, huenda wakafadhaika au hata kuogopa. Kwa upande mwingine, watoto wengi hawaogopi kutazama waziwazi au kutoa maelezo yasiyo ya lazima. Kumbuka kuwa na subira na uone hili kuwa fursa ya kufundisha. Waonyeshe watoto wengine kwamba uko tayari kujibu maswali yao. Jaribu kumweleza mtoto wako kuhusu tatizo lako kwa njia ya utulivu na ya moja kwa moja. Kuvunja barafu kidogo kunaweza kuwa na maana kwa mtoto wako na watoto wengine. Unapozungumza na watoto, weka kielelezo cha kutumia lugha yenye kuheshimu. Kwa mfano, tumia maneno yanayoonyesha kwamba ingawa mtoto wako ni tofauti, hakuna "kosa" naye. Yaelekea unajua kwamba ni afadhali kuepuka maneno kama "yule ni mgonjwa wa akili" au "yule ni mlemavu" kwa sababu yanafanya mtoto wako awe sawa na mlemavu. Badala yake, kusema, "Yeye ana ugonjwa wa akili" utawasaidia watoto wengine kuona kwamba mtoto wako ni mtu kamili ambaye utambulisho wake hauzuiwi na ulemavu wake. Watoto wana mwelekeo wa kukosa kichujio wakati wa kuitikia kwa njia ambazo zinaweza kuwa zenye kuumiza kwa mtoto mwenye ulemavu. Huenda wasifahamu kwamba ni kukasirisha kutumia maneno makali kama vile "kuna tatizo gani na miguu yake?" wanapoona msichana akiwa kwenye kiti cha magurudumu. Hata hivyo, uwazi wa asili wa mtoto ni zawadi kwa sababu hawana vizuizi sawa na watu wazima ambao husababisha watu kujitenga kwa ufahamu na mtu mwenye ulemavu. Tumia fursa hiyo kuelezea mambo mazuri ya mtoto wako. Mweleze jinsi wanavyofanana, au mhimiza mtoto wako azungumze kuhusu rangi au filamu anayoipenda. Kadiri unavyofanya hivyo, ndivyo itakavyokuwa rahisi kwa watoto kuelewa kwamba mtoto mwenye ulemavu bado ni mtu wa kawaida kama wao. Kituo cha Matibabu ya Mawasiliano: Kituo cha Matibabu ya Mawasiliano hutumikia familia za watoto na vijana wenye ulemavu na mahitaji maalum. Sisi ni timu ya wataalamu katika nyanja za hotuba ya watoto, tiba ya kazi, patholojia ya hotuba-lugha, na sayansi ya tabia. Kama timu, tunatoa matibabu ya mikono ya kina kwa watoto na vijana, pamoja na rasilimali za habari na muhimu kwa familia. Ikiwa una nia ya kujua zaidi juu ya jinsi ya kusaidia familia yako, tafadhali tembelea tovuti yetu au piga simu kwa 0800-5734-831. Je, ungependa kujua zaidi kuhusu jinsi ya kumsaidia mtoto wako afanye vizuri? Tufuate kwenye Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, na Pinterest.