How do you build up self esteem of handicapped children?

Question

I have a 2 1/2 year old handicapped little girl who is truly beautiful but she suffered a very severe head injury. She is starting school soon and I want to help to continue building up her self esteem. any ideas? She starts preschool in August. Thank you!

Answer 1

That is a horrible story. I really feel for your daughter. but i do have some ideas!!!



1. Try taking her places to make sure that she starts to interact with other kids her age. Before you take her, prepare her. You might even want to bake some cookies for her to take so that she can start talking and playing easier, and the other kids will naturally come to her. Make sure she knows about her wheelchair, and educate her about it. That way when kids talk to her she can tell them about it so the other kids arn't as shy or afraid of her (or think she's a robot or something)



2. Buy her some really nice clothes, or toys that way she can show it off. If the kids see something that they like before they notice the wheelechair they might not be as errie about her.



3. Come with her. Be there for her for her first day. If she seems upset then tell her that she has to be strong. Remember that she can't just leave. by leaving she is letting the other kids win, and that will be horrible for the future. you cant hide her from the other kids



4. Try finding a child that is going to be going to the school that she's going to. Invite him/her over and have them play together for a while. That way she has some one to talk to and to play with when she gets to school



5. Make sure that you talk to the teacher about the childs specail needs. Make sure that she is going to protect her, but not treat her like she's different.



I hope she ends up okay, and i hope i helped

Answer 2

I don't understand why you think you have come up with such an original idea. You posted about your idea before and your were given information about several wheelchairs that address this issue and a long list of research articles that have explored this already. If you want to do something to help, you might consider using language that is not offensive to the majority of us who have disabilities. Handicapped is an outdated word. It is what society does to us, it is not what we are. We are first and foremost people. Wheelchairs that climb stairs and raise up and down are nice, but what is far more important is people who treat us with respect and having a built environment we can access.

Answer 3

I think you will see more positives when she starts preschool in Aug. While some kids are very cruel some will really reach out to her and encourage her. This will be a big positive for her. My son is autistic and they(his class) participated in Special Olympics and to see special children encouraging and cheering on other special kids is so moving so you might check what the ages are for that. Its an awesome experience for everyone



Also just praise her for trying whether she can do it or not. Teach her to encourage others too. Use stickers for special occasions and have special treats for big accomplishments. Keep a little scrapbook or notebook of what she does as a special needs child all the little things are so big to them remember them and celebrate them. Consider making a book about her to read with her- have Grandparents parents family friends therapist doctors ect write a simple note to tell her how special she is to them add a pic of them you can also include daily activities in a book getting up meals pets school doctors therapist riding in the car ect add pic of her seeing these people or doing these things read this every day or just for special times



As hard as it is to deal with the disabilities they face these are truely awesome children as they have the purest love for you and are so sweet and trusting



Best wishes to you

Answer 4

It might help to prepare her to answer the inevitable questions like: why do you wear that helmet? What's wrong with your arm? etc. Help her prepare simple, true answers that she can use. You can practice with her - you pretend to be other kids and ask the questions and then she answers. Don't tell her what to say exactly, let her come up with answers. What will she do if the other kids point or call her names. It might help to have some good responses in advance. Oops i think this would work better for a 5-yr-old but maybe you can adapt it to her age. Like letting other kids touch the helmet, etc.

Answer 5

I would like to know more about the kinda of head injury she suffered and the type of handicap she has before I answer.

Answer 6

I have a 5 year old disabled daughter who starts kindergarden in August, personally i think she thinks she is just like everyone else just gets spoiled a whole lot more!!!! hoping that wont change when august comes