Disability Awareness for Children

Some Disorders that can Disable a Person:

• Cerebral Palsy – An umbrella term for non contagious neurological disorders that cause disability in human movement, posture and other development. People with Cerebral Palsy sometimes have physical and speech disabilities.

• Autism – Developmental disability caused by a disorder to the human central nervous system. People with autism often have delayed responses but other symptoms vary greatly. Most people with autism are physically indistinguishable with those who do not have this disease.

• Down’s Syndrome – Genetic disorder usually caused by an extra 21st chromosome. A lower than average cognitive ability is usually a disability of Down’s Syndrome. Education and proper care can lead to a greater quality of life for those with this condition.

• Muscular Dystrophy – Hereditary disease that weakens skeletal muscles, defects muscle proteins, and kills muscle cells and tissue. This disease can limit range of motion, make walking difficult, and produce a functional disability. Orthopedic instruments like walking stands and wheelchairs are sometimes helpful for people with Muscular Dystrophy.

The Difference Between Disability & Handicap

Sometimes, the terms handicap and disability are used interchangeably, however, there are differences. As defined above, a disability is a condition or disorder usually caused by an accident, genetics, disease or trauma. A handicap, on the other hand, is a mental / attitudinal or physical constraint that is put on a person. Someone that is handicapped may not have a disability.

Etiquette: Tips on How to Act Around Someone in a Wheelchair*

• The number one thing you should do when speaking to someone who is in a wheelchair, is focus on the person, and not on the disability.

• Make eye contact with the person – If you are going to be talking for more than a couple of minutes, pull up a chair so you are eye level with the person you are speaking with.

• Always ask the person in the wheelchair if they need assistance before helping. They could very well be capable of the exact thing you were going to help them out with.

• Speak directly to the person in the wheelchair.

• Don’t automatically classify the person as sick or that their life is now a tragedy. Most wheelchairs give a person with a disability much more freedom that they had without it.

• Know the person’s capabilities - some people with disabilities who are in wheelchairs can walk with assistance.

• Let children ask questions about the wheelchair: This will keep the lines of communication open and reduce or extinguish fear.

• Don’t pat a wheelchair user on the head. This can be degrading or humiliating to the person.

Teaching Children Early: Disability Awareness Programs

More and more hospitals and elementary schools are now embracing and teaching disability awareness. Educational tools, play therapy dolls and toys, lesson plans and activities are geared towards recognizing and teaching young ones about the different disabilities. These tools can help children better understand what it means to be disabled as well as show the strengths and weaknesses possessed by people with disabilities.

Sew Dolling®’s Patented Sew Able® Play Therapy Dolls are a great disability awareness toy for children. They show young ones that everyone is beautiful and ABLE, no matter their illnesses, condition, or disability. Many hospitals including Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Chicago Institute of Rehabilitation are also using our Sew Able® Dolls to help brighten the days of their young patients.

* based on Ric Garren’s article in Challenge Magazine