All About Helping Physically Handicapped Children

The thought of physically handicapped children brings to mind the various challenges faced by them in their day to day life; physical disabilities create not just physical challenges for the children, but also emotional challenges. Parents, caregivers like nanny and babysitters and the community at large can do a lot to help these children lead a normal life.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 5 million US children have physical limitations that affect their daily lives. They are presented with challenges while playing sports, participating in school, riding the bus and playing children's games.  Fortunately, thanks to innovative designs, new technology and organizations that help disabled kids succeed; life is becoming easier for them.

A few ways that physically challenged children can be helped:

It is best that parents, nanny and babysitters and others educate themselves about the challenges faced by such children; it would be best to go though the online program Kids' Quest, and also visit government-supported websites that provide reliable information on helping kids with disabilities.

Next physically challenged children need our support and not our pity; showing pity would only disable the child more and damage his/her self-esteem. It pays to have a positive attitude and focus on the things the child can do and encourage him/her on one’s achievements. Praise and encouragements goes a long way in bringing out the best in these children.

It would be very helpful for parents to engage babysitters periodically; the community at large could also help families that have physically challenged children to avoid a burnout for parents, with parents being less prone to irritability, exhaustion and depression. Spending time with a physically challenged child provides new stimulation for the child and offers the parents a chance to run errands or simply take a break.

It would be a great idea to plan a special day centered on activities the child can participate in to improve motor skills and increase involvement in physical activities. It could include playing with toys, blowing bubbles, splashing in water or painting funny pictures. Ensure you choose sensory toys with bright colors, funny noises and different textures to stimulate the senses of sight, sound and touch.

It pays to encourage independence in physically disabled children; though they need extra help with physical tasks it would help to set   achievable goals to help them feel more independent. Offer rewards for goals reached to celebrate his achievements and accomplishments.

It is great to take these children to State parks that provide ramps and modified entrances to many areas in the park. This could make them feel more independent and happy to enjoy the pleasure that other children enjoy.

The community at large as well as caregivers could help physically challenged children from being mistreated; they could watch out for signs of bullying such as torn clothing, bruises and withdrawal from activities.

Children in wheelchairs need not be excluded from sports when they can bounce a basketball or pass a football back and forth. Modify sports games to include physically challenged children. Choose hand balls that have bells inside for children with visual impairments, so they can be included in sports activities as well.

Lastly the community at large can volunteer for local programs that cater to physically handicapped children. Besides state health departments and YMCA, many other communities also have local programs that need volunteers to work with physically challenged children.

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