Dealing with Children with Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities can affect anyone, including children. This can occur from birth or during growth. Children with disabilities need to learn to be better prepared to live their lives. Therefore, parents also need to gather a lot of information about disability and what needs to be considered in assisting and teaching children with disabilities. Disability in general is a term used for someone who has a disability or limitations in carrying out daily activities. Physical disability can occur due to decreased ability of body parts, loss of function of body parts, or experiencing interference with body structure.

Accompanying Children with Physical Disabilities

In order not to have too much difficulty in carrying out daily activities, a child with a physical disability needs special attention and instruction. Things like teaching food, going to the toilet, and other daily activities, can be a challenge for parents. Even so, that does not mean teaching children with physical disabilities can not be fun. Here are some steps you can take to help children with disabilities:

• Join a child disability organization or community

When the diagnosis of your child's condition is clear, you need to gather various information about the condition. You can search for information online or start joining certain organizations or communities that have parents with the same disability problems in their children. This will help you exchange ideas and get lots of information from other parents who have experienced it. In addition, by joining the organization or community, at least you do not feel alone and have friends to share with each other.

• Encourage your child to play and adapt to the environment

Giving special attention or teaching something to children with physical disabilities is not always a serious way. If a disability is experienced since childhood and physical limitations are in the lower body, then what can be done is to invite him to play using the upper body. Like drawing or playing ball. The goal, of course, is to keep the body active and the child does not feel cooped up because of his disability. This can be done since children aged 1-3 years. At the age of 3-6 years, children will begin to understand the life around them and begin to interact with their peers. You can introduce more types of games and start introducing books to your child. For example, by reading stories to children. In addition, it is recommended that you start preparing answers or explanations regarding your child's condition, to his friends.

• Medical assistance for Little One

Increasingly large, if your child has a physical disability that makes him limited in moving, you need to consult a pediatrician. Your doctor can refer your child to a physiotherapist who can provide physical therapy, including introducing what can be done alone and tools such as what can make it easier to move and perform daily activities. And if your child has difficulty communicating, make sure he gets help that can teach him how to communicate. For example, doing language and speech therapy, or using certain tools. Besides moving and communicating, going to the toilet can also be one of its own challenges. Every child's situation can be different, some children may need more time to be able to learn to go to the toilet. There can be started from the age of 3 years, some are only able to be taught after he is more mature. If your child has an intestinal or digestive disorder, this can affect his ability to control bowel movements. In this condition, the therapist will usually give you direction in using a special toilet or potty. In addition, the doctor will direct you how the right position for children to use the toilet. Some children with disabilities also experience sleep disorders, due to muscle cramps or difficulty breathing. A child's fatigue due to poor sleep can affect all family members who care for him. You can contact your doctor to get quality sleep. In Jakarta, there are several clinics that specialize in sleeping disorders. These clinics are under the auspices of several large private hospitals.

You can consult a doctor to provide the right therapy for your child. Some specialist doctors that may be needed to help children with disabilities include:

• Orthopedic surgeon, to overcome problems related to children's muscles and bone structure
• Ophthalmologist, who will provide treatment related to the vision problems of your child
• Pediatrician medical rehabilitation specialist, for handling physical conditions of children with chronic disabilities.
• Child psychiatrist, who will help with emotional and behavioral disorders, and cognitive abilities.
• ENT specialist, for handling related to hearing.

It is normal to worry about the physical disability of children and how children adapt to adulthood. Consult your child's condition and the appropriate treatment options for him, to the doctor or therapist. Getting together with a community of people with physical disabilities can also help you. Even though each child's case can be different, at least you can exchange ideas and information.