Parenting a disabled child is certainly no easy task and when peer rejection and teasing are added to the equation it can be most overwhelming. It's hard enough to see your child struggle with the day-to-day challenges of their disability. Then to see him suffer with emotional pain caused by the cruelty of another child or group of children--it's just too much to bear! Is there anything that you as a parent can do to protect your disabled child from emotional damage?
Of course there's not much that can be done about rejection, but there are a few things you can do that may curtail the teasing or at least lessen the hurt caused by others.
Talk to their teacher, school principal, or camp director: Although there are a few children who are simply insensitive by nature, many just don't stop to think about the impact that their behavior may have on others. By making your concerns known and suggesting that they point out to the guilty children the tremendous pain that's being caused and the long-term effects of teasing; some of them may have a change of heart and a few may even befriend the disabled child.
Talk to the parents of the guilty child: They may not be aware that their child has been teasing your child and may be ashamed that they've been acting this way. They probably haven't raised their child to be a bully and will be eager to put a stop to it right away.
Build your child's self esteem: As the parent of a disabled child you may be prone to overprotect them. If so, try to stop. Allow them to do what they're capable of on their own--even if they make mistakes--and only help out when it's truly necessary.
Remind them often how much loved and wanted. Also of great importance: let them know that you LIKE them as a person and enjoy having them around!
If a child has a healthy view of him or herself in spite of being disabled, the teasing won't have near as much impact on them. Sure it will still be painful but it won't be devastating.
Help them find ways to keep busy: A disabled child may tend to get bored since they can't always do what other children can. Boredom leaves the mind open to replaying painful events so you want to help them avoid this as much as possible.
Occasionally introduce new activities for them to try. Of course a great many won't hold any interest for them but eventually they'll find something intriguing that might even become a passionate hobby!
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