Children and Disability

Having a disability can be difficult at any age, but challenges and differences can seem even more insurmountable to a child. Oftentimes their coping skills are not fully developed, and they cannot contend with the negative views put forth by people who do not understand their situation. Some children are resilient and over time, they will learn how to contend, but for others, these negative views can cause a child to feel guilty and ashamed for being different. There is hope, however, and that comes in the form of knowledge, empathy, and confidence.

When someone has little information on a situation, they tend to view that situation with a closed mind. This is true for most people when they first encounter someone with a disability, and sometimes their curiosity can be mistaken for rudeness. The best way to combat this is by providing your child with the power of knowledge. It is never too early to begin teaching your child about their disability. The more they know, the more questions they can answer when someone asks. One way a parent can approach this is by getting books that pertain to their child’s disability. There is a lot of literature about there that is geared towards this subject. Another way a parent can help their child become more aware of their disability is by letting them interact with other children in their same situation. This can be done by joining local organizations or allowing your child to attend summer camp.

Empathy is another tool that can promote awareness and open mindedness. Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Just like a lot of things in life, empathy should be a two-way street. A child with a disability should be taught to have empathy towards those who do not understand the situation. Most people do not interact with somebody that has a disability on a regular basis, so it is important to teach your child to be forgiving and understanding. On the other hand, it is also important to teach others how to have empathy towards somebody with a disability. If you can see something from another’s point of view, then you’re more likely to have an open mind. Again, literature is a great resource when it comes to teaching someone this skill. Another way that is becoming popular in schools and organizations is the process of literally putting selective children in someone else’s shoes. I recently read an article in which children were selected to spend the day as a disabled person. Whether there were blindfolded or seat belted into a wheelchair, the children gained a lot of experiences and were able to share them with their classmates.

One of the most important ways to help your child not take these negative views personally is by helping them build up their self-esteem. By helping your child find a positive self-image, you are insuring them equal footing with their counterparts. A child can be taught that they have differences, but those differences should not be considered bad. You can help your child realize that their differences only make them a more unique person that is loved and cherished. Children tend to follow the lead of their parents, so if you have confidence in your child then they will have confidence in themselves. If you focus on your child’s abilities, then you can show them all the possibilities they have to offer to the world. Confidence a skill that can be used throughout a lifetime, and once it is obtained it is not easily lost.

Our children should never have to feel guilty or ashamed for being differently able, so I hope this article can help. To help the process along, we should promote disability in a positive light because as the face of disability broadens, so to will people’s viewpoint.