How to Train the Mentally Handicapped

Mentally handicapped people will have a difficult time getting through life without assistance. According to PubMed Health, there are different causes for mental retardation, but doctors only find a specific reason in about 25 percent of cases. Mentally handicapped means developing slowly or late mental development. Children with this condition are capable of learning but do not learn at the same extent or at the same pace as other children. Parents of mentally handicapped children need to remember that they learn skills slowly, will require motivation, and will find it hard to grasp advanced skills like problem-solving, mathematics and reading. The mentally handicapped will make steady progress at improving intellectually with the support of loved ones and a good training program.

Instructions

• 1

  Develop the child's full potential through early intervention. Early intervention is an organized program of exercises, activities and therapy to help children with disabilities or children who may experience developmental delays. The infant usually starts with the program shortly after birth until three years of age. Common early intervention services for mentally handicapped babies are speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy and language therapy. The National Down Syndrome Society says that development begins at conception and is a continuous process that proceeds stage by stage. The purpose of an early intervention program is to enhance a child's assets and to strengthen his weaknesses while developing.

• 2

  Enroll the child in a special education program. The program is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with disabilities. Children can enter a preschool program for free at the age of three through a public school system. The age range for the special education program is 3-years-old to 21-years-old. The program is designed to address the child's individual needs associated with the disability. According to the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, school staffs are willing to work with parents to provide an individualized education program for their children.

• 3

  Teach life skills for functioning in society. The mentally handicapped will have to master life skills to live a normal life. Life skills include eating, dressing, cleaning, grooming, shopping and job skills. Breaking the steps down into simple tasks will help the person with mastering the skill and make it easier to track progress. If you are teaching someone how to lock the door, then you can start with closing the door. Many people with disabilities have average intelligence and mild physical problems. Independence is usually achieved for these children during later adulthood or adolescence. It is important to teach people with this condition to be responsible and as independent as possible.