Mental Disabilities

Children with mental disabilities generally will go through typical developmental stages but at a much slower rate. Characteristics vary with disabilities, but a few approaches can be applied to all kinds of disabilities.

Characteristics:

• short attention span; easily distracted
• difficulty with transitions
• prefers to play with younger children
• afraid of trying new things
• difficulty in problem-solving
• does not remember things well
• may not be able to transfer learning to a new situation
• stumbles and falls because of poor body control
• speaks and uses language like a much younger child
• may repeat same movement over and over
• frustrated with change and transitions

What you can do:

• Keep verbal instructions simple.
• Break activities into small steps and give one instruction at a time.
• Practice activities over and over.
• Select activities that match the child's mental age and abilities.
• Show and tell a child how to do something by guiding hands and body through the motions of an activity.
• Provide opportunities to play near a child who is doing a similar activity. This can give the child with mental disabilities some ideas on how to use and explore the same materials.
• Make sure that there are obvious differences in size, shape, and colour when sorting or classifying objects. Subtle differences between red and maroon or circles and ovals can be confusing.
• Limit the number of art materials or toys to avoid overwhelming the child with choices.
• Give plenty of warning when an activity is about to change or end.

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