How to Explain a Physical Disability to a Child

Children have open minds and open hearts. There is no better time to create an understanding that people with disabilities must be perceived as people first.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Power Wheelchairs
• Complying With The ADA - A Guidebook
• Interacting With People
• Anger-management Counseling
• Stress Management Counseling
• E-Z Reacher
• Manual Wheelchairs
• Medical Alert Bracelet
• Wheelchair Gloves
• Wheelchair Mini Ramps
• Wheelchair Ramps
• Wheelchair Seat Cushions
• Therapists
• Lever Locksets

1. Listen to the child.

2. Let the child voice fears and ask questions.

3. View the situation from the child's perspective.

4. Be truthful, keeping your answers age-appropriate.

5. Explain disability at the level the child can understand.

6. Satisfy a child's curiosity. Let the child sit in a wheelchair, for example.

7. Stress the positive. For example, use of a wheelchair enhances mobility.

8. Remember that children take upon themselves unnecessary responsibility for situations.

9. Stress family loyalty and unity.

10. Spend extra time with children.

11. Encourage children to help make your home more accessible.

12. Remind children that everything changes, except the loved shared within the family.

Tips & Warnings

• Counseling and support groups for the disabled person and for the family can be helpful.

• Nondisabled children learn lessons in courage, pride, perseverance and loyalty from disabled family members.

• Understand that a disabling injury or illness requires a grieving process. The family will pass through stages of anger, denial, depression and acceptance.

• Understand the child may feel resentment. Help him work through it rather than reacting angrily.