| How do you approach a disabled child? | | | | manner and say "My son would like to know |
| What do you say to the parents? | | | | about your child can you tell him about her please" |
| I've worked with special needs children for many | | | | When this question has been asked I have heard |
| years and have heard many comments made by | | | | parents tell their children to be quiet. Others show |
| non-thinking adults in front of disabled children and | | | | embarrassment at their child even asking the |
| their parents. | | | | question in the first place. Parents who do this are |
| Firstly many people speak to the parent of special | | | | giving the wrong message to your child. Let your |
| needs children as if the child is not capable of | | | | child know that different is acceptable. |
| hearing or understanding that she's being talked | | | | Never approach the parent just because you are |
| about. Instead make sure you speak to the child | | | | noisy only do so out of genuine interest. Respect |
| directly, if possible getting down to her level and | | | | the parent and if they don't want to answer your |
| make eye contact. Treat her as you would any | | | | questions or only want to give short answers |
| other child of her age. If she can't answer the | | | | accept this. They will have had to answer the |
| parent will respond for her. | | | | questions many times and sometimes they just |
| However special needs children mostly enjoy the | | | | want to be "normal" like other parents and not to |
| loving touch of an adult. | | | | have to answer questions about their child again. |
| Don't say anything to a disabled child that you | | | | Out of the many things I have people say here |
| wouldn't say in front of your own child. | | | | are just 10 of the things that you should never |
| I had a really good friend who had a severely | | | | say. |
| disabled child although at 13 years of age all she | | | | - What's wrong with her then? |
| could do was just about turn over on her own | | | | - Didn't you have the blood tests when you were |
| but she was a person in her rights with her own | | | | pregnant? |
| personality and likes and dislikes. To parents these | | | | - Did you consider having an abortion? |
| are special child and all have a right to be | | | | - How long do you expect her to live? |
| respected. | | | | - I'm sure you're glad your other child is normal? |
| Their parents have a right to even more respect | | | | - Is it hereditary then? |
| , they do a great job caring for their special | | | | - What will you do when she's too big to manage? |
| children. | | | | - When she grow up will she be normal then? |
| I've heard many children ask parents what is | | | | - Can she walk, talk, crawl, speak etc |
| wrong with a disabled child. This is a genuine | | | | - I have heard that this type of diet can help |
| question and most parents of disabled children | | | | children with this handicap |
| would not object to this question being asked. It is | | | | Families with special needs children deserve our |
| better to approach the parent in a respectful | | | | respect, help and care. |