getting ready | psychology
A ‘special’ preparation A child completes the family. Most couples are blessed with healthy children; some, however, are not as fortunate‌ Parents of children with disability fall into two general categories:
emotionally healthy children.
(a) those who accept and love
Greatly concerned parents
the child notwithstanding the
Parents who belong to the first
disability but feel secretly
category give the child special care
guilty, accusing themselves of
and their undivided attention. In some
transmitting to their beloved
instances, the personal lives of the
offspring the weakness that will
parents are even put on hold, and only
be with him or her for life; and
the child's good is given attention.
(b) those who resent having
The parents' world revolves around
a child with disability and
their child. On the other hand, the
either give him or her away for adoption or keep him or her at
child gathers strength and assurance from the parents' undivided attention. Despite the disability, the child is happy
home whilst providing
and secure in the love of the parents.
only with basic care,
This is the family setting that will be
withholding affection
most concerned in conditioning the
and bonding that are
child with disability about the arrival
very important in raising
of a sibling. Having a new sibling is an earth-shaking change for a normal toddler; imagine how it could be for a child born with a disability? The responsibility of preparing the special child for the coming of a sibling rests heavily on the shoulders of the parents. In most cases, the plan is not altered although the coming of a second
mother, baby & child july 2012
child may be put on hold, as the child with disability requires extra care and special attention. But as the child with
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