Helping Children With Physical Disabilities to Make Friends

Helping children with physical disabilities make friends gives them a sense of belonging and inclusion. These children often have difficulty with relationships because of their physical limitations. Physical challenges, such as speech impairments, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy, interfere with psychological and social development.

  1. Social Skills

    • Developing your child's social skills at home is the first step toward helping him make friends. The quality of life you provide affects his friendship-making skills, according to a 2010 study report published by the Michigan Department of Education. Raise your children in the most responsible manner, providing them with the family care and love they need to develop social skills. Help them learn how to focus and attend to things apart from themselves right from their infancy. Teach them how to exchange emotional expressions such as hugging, smiling and shaking hands.

    Focus on Abilities

    • A physically challenged child has several capabilities that can be exploited. If he doesn't have the use of one arm, he can use the other to reach for things or show you what he wants. Teach him how he can use his capabilities to his emotional and social benefit. Let him know that despite his disability he is still purposeful. Focus on your child's hobbies and talents. Work around his physical limitations to create situations that allow him to explore his own assertiveness. Pair him with a child who has a contrasting physical disability and let them explore social activities together.

    Encouragement

    • Encouraging your child to involve himself in social activities helps him create relationships. According to a 2004 study report published in the "Journal of Research in Special Education Needs," children with physical disabilities have greater emotional and psychological problems, such as low self-esteem, than their able-bodied peers. Use activities that encourage involvement and help to raise his self-esteem. Play with your child while encouraging him to share or trade toys with you. Read several children's books together and discuss with him the skills you are trying to model. Build confidence in your child by providing him with activities that he can do boldly. The Raising Children Network stresses that children are likely to play with others when confident.

    Right Activities

    • Choosing the right sporting activities for your child can help him make friends. Although, physical disabilities make it hard for your child to play games that require good body coordination, like soccer and bike racing, resorting to less interactive video games will not be helpful. Your child might prefer to play alone or watch other kids play, but alternative sporting activities will help him interact. Find out his views and help him identify the essence of physical play in creating friendships. Buy musical instruments, art supplies or construction materials and help him learn how to use them. Let him share the new skills with other children.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Inadequate Weight Gain in Children
      Growth charts are often used to compare a childs height and weight with the averages of other children his age. A doctor may grow concerned if your childs weight gain is slower than usual. While some children may gain weight at a slower pace due to g
    • Your Child at 3: Milestones
      At around age 3, children’s imaginations and language skills seem to get supercharged. They’re figuring out all kinds of words, making up stories and play activities, and learning to build relationships. Mixed in with all this fun, they’re also tryin
    • How to Tell If Your Child's Behavior Is Normal
      Often, parents may wonder whether the behavior their child exhibits is a normal part of growing up or whether it is abnormal, and possibly detrimental to their childs development and their familys well-being. It is possible to determine whether a chi