Finding that your child is mentally challenged raises an array of questions within your mind. How to care for you child, how could this have happened and whether or not you were at fault are common questions when your child is diagnosed with mental delays. To effectively raise a mentally disabled child, it is important to address each of these questions and clear your mind. Then you are able to effectively parent your child by understanding and performing the complex daily care guidelines for your child's development level.
Step 1
Encourage your child to do things independently. According to Austin Travis Mental Health and Mental Retardation Health Center, mentally delayed children should be taught basic skills such as dressing and hygiene practices. This will give her a sense of accomplishment and help provide her with a positive self image.
Step 2
Attend psychological counseling for your child and yourself, suggests Merck. Raising a mentally challenged child puts strain on relationships within the family by putting more stress and constraint on normal activities. Counseling helps work through anger, stress and resentment while giving you the coping skills to succeed.
Step 3
Attend outings and social functions with your child to teach him the social skills that many mentally delayed children experience. According to Austin Travis Mental Health and Mental Retardation Health Center, ideal events include sports, recreation organization events and scout troops.
Step 4
Learn as much as you can about your child's diagnosis to understand what behaviors you may encounter. Learning about his condition will help you adjust discipline technique and find proper schooling for him.
Step 5
Incorporate skills from school teaching into home life, suggests Austin Travis Mental Health and Mental Retardation Health Center. This will provide her with additional instruction time, helping her to memorize and retain required information such as counting money or telling time.
