Is Your Child Mentally Disabled?
Do not feel helpless or disheartened
Disability is something which must be known to the mind, accepted with the heart and enacted in life.
In the beautiful creation of universe, amongst normal, intelligent and extraordinary mankind, a small group of handicapped persons are also born. Centuries went by before they were recognized, before their disabilities were identified and remedial measures were taken up. In India, effective awareness about handicapped nature began in the 70s and propelled to genuine care levels by the mid-80s.
Disability is of two types
1) Physical Disability: Loco-motor, blind, deaf and dumb.
2) Mental Disability:
- a. Mental Disability (a condition of below normal mental process due to arrested or incomplete development).
- b. Cerebral palsy (a condition of effected intellectual functioning, sensory abilities, emotional responsiveness and motor performances due to the damage of the brain).
- c. Autism (a condition on uneven skill development primarily affecting the communication and social abilities of a person, marked by repetitive and ritualistic behavior).
- d. Multiple Disability (a condition which is a combination of two or more disabilities).
According to the population census of 2020 out of the 137.65 Crore population of India ~1 crore at 0.729% are intellectually impaired. Through RCI act 1992, PWD Act 1995, National Trust Act 1999 , National Policy for persons with Disability Act 2006 and RPD Act 2016, Govt. of India enormously boosted the identity, legal rights, Protection and future welfare measures of disabled persons on par with the normal mankind for a safe and respectable rehabilitation. To render all level care with short, mid and long term goals to the disabled central and state Governments invited and enrolled parent associations, voluntary organizations, social and self-help groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mental disability is a condition that slows down mental & physical growth. Mentally disabled child is slower than a normal child to walk, eat & talk. All mentally disabled children grow better with training — the earlier the better.
No. It is not a disease. A child can be born mentally disabled. A child can be mentally disabled before birth, at the time of birth or after birth. A child can also become mentally disabled because of an accident or a disease.
No, mental disabled cannot be cured. This condition is a result of an irreversible damage to the brain. The child cannot be cured but can be trained to lead near normal & dignified life.
No. Mentally disabled children are not mental ill. Mental disability is a physical defect caused by injury or damage to the brain whereas mental illness is not a physical defect. Mental illness is a disease that can occur at any age even among highly educated people
No. Mentally disabled children are different from other children. Even though they grow older physically they are younger in their minds intensive training can help mentally disabled children to improve their ability to learn & look after themselves.
No. Marriage cannot cure mentally disabled persons. It is very difficult for mentally disabled person to look after his/her family
No. All mentally disabled children are not similar. Every child is unique. The behavior differs from Child to Child.
We can identify such problem if a child is slow to understand and respond, does not keep up with other children of the same age, is physically disabled, can only concentrate for a short time, looks different especially the child’s face & body, avoids company, is irritable and restless and have delayed milestones.
Parents may group together to start and run respite care centers/group homes during the lifetime. They should also nominate future guardians for their child and can streamline their assets and papers for future.
Of course, depending upon the abilities and training mentally handicapped persons can be rehabilitated for his/her dignified living.
Special Education, Speech Therapy, Behavior Modification, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Vocational Training and Parent Counseling.
Training can be started very early even months old child can be trained by giving neuro-developmental therapy (Early Intervention).
Motor, Speech, Medical and Behavior Problems are the general problems.
To train the mentally disabled Person towards the Independent living is rehabilitation for MR persons.
Yes, The Persons with mental disability deserves the same rights enjoyed by any other Human being.
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) Act (1992), PWD Act (1995) , NT Act (1999) , National Policy for Persons with Disabilities Act 2006 and RPWD Act 2016
Concessions in traveling (Bus and Railway), IT Exemptions, Pension, Scholarship and NIRAMAYA Health Insurance scheme are the benefits.
Data reported from various clinics in the country show that in 60% of the cases identified as mentally disabled, causes can be attributed to genetic disorders. Consanguineous marriages i.e. marriage between uncle-niece, nephew-aunt, first cousins or related cousins have greater chances of producing a child with genetic disorders including mental disability. In case there is already a child with mental disability, the parents should seek genetic counseling before planning to have another child.