Teaching Emotional Handling to Special Children

Certain ailments affect a child in a way that prohibits him from understanding emotions. At times all it takes is special tricks for training emotions in order to build emotional health in a child. Naturally like we have connection with our emotional selves, special children lack it and do not easily recognize emotions and feelings. They feel disconnected with their emotions, although they truly do feel it and but face difficulty expressing them. Further, it causes a rift between their ability to associate with others. In order to teach emotional handling, a caregiver or teacher can use strategies that are quick and easily modified.

• Try and discuss about emotions and answer to questions of your child openly. However, always remember the developmental age of your child in mind and then take action.
  
• To handle emotions of your child, first you need to have close talk with your child and try to understand and then encourage him to express what is happening with him/her and its reaction.
• Develop positive outlook by providing him with lot of books.
• Tell him to manage emotions by doing his favorite things like listening to soothing music, watching TV, exercising, or spending time with a pet.
• Involving in some or the other activities (games, writing something, or doing other physical activity) and keeping him/herself busy can be helpful to alleviate emotions.
• Reassure your child that everyone feels same and emotions are common for all. He just needs to learn how to cope up with them.
• Share all your emotions in life with the child, when suitable.
• Identification is important. Guide your child to recognize how he/she feels when emotional.

It is important to teach the child some cool-down technique such as taking a deep breath, counting numbers, remembering something good to stop getting worried and all.

Vocational Training for People with Special Needs

Work education trains people with special needs to understand the world of work and prepares them for their possible future career. No doubt, it is big transition for them to enter into any employment. They face difficulty adjusting in the new environment and fail to understand competition that exists in the market.

Under work education curriculum, special people are offered counseling and are provided intense training in vocational skills. It involves awareness of work ethics, appropriate work habits, and responsibility sharing. In addition, it includes development and inculcation of values such as punctuality, honesty, respect for teamwork, dignity of labor, and productivity consciousness etc.

They obviously take more time to adjust to the work environment, develop rapport with colleagues and they also take time to understand money management. Work education thus acts as an interface between world of work and education that changes their attitude and creates awareness to them exposing them to various job opportunities. Thus, students with special needs while pursuing training are able to figure out what all jobs are suitable to them. They are able to take up vocation in accordance to their abilities, aptitudes, and interest.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

Supported employment is another concept under work educats an opportunity to earn comion that provides persons with disabilities or special need petitive wages along with their other co-workers. The approach used under this concept is place-train rather train-place one which means individual is placed on the job and then provided training on the job-site. This approach is helpful to people with disabilities who have never worked competitively and their work history has been interrupted of their disability.

Healthy Lifestyle For Special Children

A child with special needs benefits from healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity and healthy eating boosts their growth and aids in curing ailment. A proper disciplinary regime prevents weight problems and other diseases related to sedentary lifestyle.

Most of the parents are clueless about right methods of nurturing their kids. Overweight in special children can add on to their existing problems as it is raising them is challenging. Though they may ensure well-being of their child but seeking professional help is utterly important.

Healthy Diet

Sudden changes in food habits may not be good for them. Gradually and slowly introducing food changes help. Parents need to explain patiently to the child to stop eating certain foods that are not good for them or start eating them less. Explain them - this is why 'we' are going to be eating this new way and how it will benefit.

To encourage healthy eating habits in special children offer them small serves of food in the beginning. When he/she will develop a taste gradually, then he/she may ask for a second helping. Healthy eating may also be promoted through offering a variety of foods to children from a very young age.

In case of special kids, it is always advisable to consult the specialist for what kind of food is allowed and is suggested healthy for them. There may be certain food items that maybe harmful depending on the existing medical condition.

Proper Sleep

To understand critical nature of sleep that augments in child’s growth and development, parents’ first need to figure out what healthy sleeping is and what amount of sleep is quality sleep. 

Simply what is required is that, children simply must have a sufficient amount of sleep to develop, grow, and function properly and again it varies from case to case. Even it is varies by age. Parents need to monitor the sleeping pattern of the child and then closely observe behavioral activities after that.  One should remember each child is unique and individual variation occurs.

Exercise

Special children require exercise just as much as other children. Even it is more essential for them. Exercise is a good element for reducing stress and emotional troubles. Physical and psychological impairments can make it difficult for them to get adequate exercise. Even it gets more crucial as they don't have friends to play with.

However, special-needs children can try out options to get adequate exercise. Before adopting any fitness routine, it is vital to consult child's physician.

Empowering Disabled Children with Self-Belief

Infusing self-belief in a disabled child requires combined effort by parents, friends, community and school. All of them are essential in establishing sense of importance and self worth in the child.Children with disabilities often feel that others are able to perform tasks more easily which are intensely difficult for them.  They begin feel bad about themselves and it highly de-motivates them. 

Disable people often face criticism frequently or receive more than required global praise. Criticism damages self-esteem in them and loaded praise and support makes them passive learner. It is also too abstract to be meaningful to concrete thinkers. Parents must train themselves to comment on the positive as much as possible by using very specific praise that will cultivate desired behaviors and boost their child’s self-esteem. By specific praise, the child gets very clear on what behaviors are liked and expected by everyone around. 

Parents and teachers can also boost self-esteem by figuring out what disabled child can do well and by further fostering and supporting those areas greatly. It may or may not help them to feel better about their academic performance, but it definitely helps them to feel better about themselves.

Another parenting strategy is to teach them by laying examples that many people have overcome their difficulties and thereby have become successful. This can be done by reading biographies of personalities who have struggled to achieve their goals despite their illness or disability. Reading about such challenges gives direction to them. Parents must teach their kids to view obstacles as challenges. It helps children with disabilities to adopt a problem-solving attitude. They must learn when to ask for help and who to ask for it. All this forms an important part of life skills that these children must learn.

Moreover, parents can also introduce their child to highly effective members of society who have struggled with disabilities similar to those of the child. They can serve as role models and inspiration to them.

Disabled children feel better about them when they understand that doing things differently, learning differently, and being different is OK, and that differences enrich our lives.

How Dementia Impacts Children?

Majorly found in adults particularly elders, dementia also affects children. Children with dementia show personality changes and unusual or distressing behavior. Further, it leads to memory loss; affects ability to think clearly, creates difficulty in understanding words and recognizing people.

Causes

In children it may result due to several factors like - infection, poisoning, lack of some nutrients, brain injury etc. Also, some unique disorders can also cause dementia. In some cases dementia arises due to genetic factors and often metabolic disorders also that affect brain. In pregnant mothers, insufficient folic acid i.e. Vitamin B9 can also cause underdeveloped infant brain cells resulting in dementia later in child’s life.

Symptoms

The commonest symptom of dementia is memory loss. But just memory loss by itself does not mean that a child has dementia. Other accompanying symptoms are personality and behavior changes, clumsiness, stumbling, or slow learning. Children may also develop mental impairment, progressive loss of motor skills and sight, and seizures. The child may look healthy from outside but, on the inside, their brain is not functioning appropriately.

Problems Faced By Children Afflicted With Dementia

Dementia affects people differently. Children with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual performance and it interferes with their normal activities. Due to increasing forgetfulness, the child may not be able to follow directions and instructions. A child may lose his ability maintain emotional control, and may experience problems such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations etc. He may repeat the same story over and over, again and ask same questions many times. Also they face difficulty in communicating. He may face difficulty in finding right words or completing sentences. They also have problems with thinking and recognizing people, and will sometimes forget what things are used for.

Coping Dementia In Children

Most importantly parents must always be in contact in with the child and must interact with him frequently. It will give the child an opportunity to ask questions and express his feelings, fear and experiences. Adults around kids affected with dementia must always remember that the child may not be able to take too much information download at one time and so you must always try to keep it simple and respond to their questions at their level.Be in strong coordination with the child’s teacher or school counselor. Let them know about dementia and that child suffering from it requires specialized attention. Visit school from time to time to check if the child has experienced any problems. Encourage learning about dementia in the school environment and with the child’s friends and peer groups.

Fund Raising by Sparsh to Empower the Lives of Underprivileged Children

Validation! Validation of who we are, where we are coming from, and where we are aiming to go forward in life is a driving force for every little task that we do. But have you ever stopped for a moment and thought about those who don’t know where they come from? Whom do they belong to? How and why did they land into an underprivileged set-up?

If not yet, then perhaps it’s about time you paused and thought about this issue, heartily.

An NGO working persistently towards the betterment of these underprivileged people, with an aim to nurture them into an individual who has every right to lead a happy and meaningful life is, SPARSH. Promoted by Marvel Group that comprises of Mother’s Pride, Presidium and Adiva, this organization has a simple vision, embrace and spread compassion.

Three years back, Sparsh Special School was established to give wings to the dreams of these impoverished children, women and most importantly, mentally and physically challenged kids. The school is striving to address every single need of these special children so that one day, they too can walk shoulder to shoulder, with you and me. To work on this cherished dream even more vigorously now, we are seeking support, acknowledgement and love from all sections of the society.

And as they say that “A good deed is never lost”, Sparsh would welcome you to discover humanity by getting associated with it in the following ways:

You can become a patron trustee by donating a sum of Rs. 5 lakh

A life member by donating a sum of Rs. 2 lakh

An executive member by donating a sum of Rs. 1 lakh

An associate trustee by donating a sum of Rs. 50, 000

You can even contribute lesser amounts starting from Rs.250 to Rs. 11,000. Also, people contributing Rs.51, 00 and Rs. 11,000 will get special mementos from the Sparsh family as a token of gratitude.

*Remember that all the contributions are tax exempted u/s-80G

At Sparsh, we try to enlighten the lives of these beloved children by providing them with vocational training, occupational therapy, expert guidance, nutritious food, books and a lot more. But we have just begun! And to keep this effort alive and strong, we would appreciate if you could also lend your hand. Adopting a child, making a contribution monetarily or perhaps in any other way which you think could make a difference, is highly looked forward to and valued.

For further details: Contact: Surbhi Kashyap -7838654060

   Email us- info@thesparsh.org

   Visit our website www.thesparsh.org

Understanding Childhood Depression

Childhood depression is different from everyday blues and mood swings. It resembles emotional dips which can be pervasive and long-lasting. It may even get dangerous and life-threatening when overlooked by parents. Depression has really strong symptoms which need to be identified as early as possible. It can also be termed as serious mental health condition that needs medical assessment and treatment.

Identifying depression

The symptoms of depression vary from child to child. Some of the prime symptoms of persistent depression are sadness, irritability, anger etc. Some of the others are –

• Social withdrawal- Loss of interest in playing and enjoying with friends and family 

• Feeling worthlessness, hopelessness and low self-esteem – Child may repeatedly say extreme words about one-self like –‘I am bad. I am stupid’ etc

• Physical discomfort or problems like headache, stomach ache or other physical pains etc. 

• Change in eating pattern - appetite may increase or decrease

• Vocal or anger outburst and excessive crying

• Difficulty in concentrating

• Changes in sleep pattern - sleeplessness or excessive sleep

• Difficulty in concentrating

• Fatigue and low energy

Factors that may cause depression

There may be more than one cause for depression. It is the result of several factors. Generally, depression is usually caused due to lowered levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, both in adults and children. This limits person’s ability to feel good.

There are also genetic factors which may be responsible for depression. Certain drastic events such as death of a loved one, separation of a friend can become reasons of depression. In teen years, break up may be one of the biggest reasons of depression in children. Along with that, chronic illness can also contribute to depression or side –effects of certain medicinal intake.

Treatment

Psychotherapy (counseling) : Child psychiatrist or psychologist through counseling can help in identifying right cause of depression. May further evaluate degree of depression and plan treatment accordingly. The counselor might prescribe counseling and therapy sessions of child with family and friends.

Medication: Usually doctor may suggest psychotherapy first and consider antidepressant medicine as an additional option if there is no improvement in condition.

Combination of psychotherapy and medication is most effective to successfully treat childhood depression. Remember, not to terminate your child's treatment till he/she is fully cured. Early detection is the key of treating depression in kids. Type of treatment also depends on child’s age and maturity. Therefore, choosing right treatment and doctor is highly important.

SAVE THE GIRL CHILD

“A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and promise of the future.” Anonymous

This quotation was printed on a card I received for a baby girl shower party recently. I was overwhelmed with pride and love for a girl child. But this feeling of pride was soon overshadowed by a question my niece asked me a little later. She asked me very innocently that why her best friend, our maid’s daughter Neeta, never went to a school. A few days ahead of this, she asked me that why Neeta’s mother, Susheela was persistently ill and on leave. I was at my wit’s end. 

Susheela got married five years back to a local Chai wala and Neeta were born to her soon after a year of the wedlock. Her in-laws were awfully unhappy FROM HER over the birth of a girl child. Since then she has had multiple miscarriages in a pursuit to have a baby boy. Because of this her health and work suffered tremendously.

Female Infanticide: A Disgrace

While writing this article, I am reminded of an old prehistoric Indian proverb, “A home without a daughter is like a body without soul”. Back then, the birth of a girl child was compared to the arrival of goddesses like Lakshmi and Saraswati.  However, things changed after a few invasions on India, inter cultural exchange and extreme poverty. Suddenly, the birth of a girl child was considered inauspicious, a curse, a lifelong burden and this ailing conviction is still very much ubiquitous. 

Sex determination is a criminal act under the Indian jurisdiction but still people manage to get the sex checked and the unborn baby is aborted heartlessly. Regrettably, this practice is very common in even the affluent and rich families as the “male” is considered as an actual, deserving heir to the family’s name and glory! Appalling!!

Nurture Her

Even if a girl child is not aborted and given the right to be born and live, then also she has to be taken care off in the same way as any boy.

Basic Education 

It is understandable that in a poor and developing nation like India, access to education and that too by girls is exceedingly impossible. But the need of the hour is AWARENESS! Government of India has initiated many schemes under the “Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan” or “Education for All” where, every child is entitled to a primary education (free) from the age of 6 to 14 years. This program especially reaches out to the females by stressing the institutes to provide free textbook to the girls, provision for separate toilets, back to school camps for out-of –schools girls, etc. Many NGO's are also taking initiative to  provide education to girl child in India through 'Project Shakti', promoted by Sparsh.  As a parent and more than that as a responsible citizen, it is our moral duty to ensure that every single girl in our family, extended family, social circle, girls who are working for us, maid’s daughters etc. are entitled to this right to education and must be encourage and helped, to avail it.

Health and Nutrition

Every girl has a right to get balanced nutritious diet and safe sanitary conditions, access to hospitals and doctors during illness and a right to rest. It is seen in many poor households that the girl child is deprived of an occasional fruit and a milk drink at the cost of giving it to her brother. This is criminal. We, the educated and well read people should reach out to these people and counsel them that by doing such acts, they are being unreasonably prejudiced.

Child Marriage

In India, there are many rural areas where girls are married off at a pretty young age resulting in brutal assassination of the childhood, unhealthy reproductive, psychological and over all well being of a girl. Marrying off a girl before the age of 18 years is stringently forbidden by law but the lack of political will and intervention, subservience of a girl’s family are some of the contributing factors because of which this practice is flourishing full throttle. We as a responsible citizen should report any such happening to the police and if you get to know about such marriages in future, try reasoning with the parents of both sides. Good sense might prevail.

Your take

You might be excruciatingly involved in your family and job but life is not just about taking care of your own needs, it is also about extending your help to those who are in dire need of it. Join some NGO and impart a skill to these little girls. Try contributing clothes and books. Discourage your friends and family members in hiring young maids. If you have any maid, teach her!  

Saving a girl doesn’t only mean that she has to take birth only, she has to be taken care off, fed well, should be given primary education or at least some vocational training, should be protected and most importantly, she should be loved.

Spread the word that female infanticide is unlawful and ethically terrible and girls are to be cherished, not to be discarded!!