can a mentally disable peson be emotionally stable? I know there are several factos that may take a role on this such as: how severe the disability is. But I m just curios. Anu of you have read the book EQ by Goleman?
2006-10-21 05:32:36 · 3 answers · asked by El Luigy 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
People with developmental disabilities run the gamut of emotional stability, from the most calm and secure to having diagnosed psychological disorders.
As a special education teacher for more than 30 years, and as the sister of a woman with Down Syndrome, my observation has been that "higher functioning" people with developmental disabilities tend to have a more difficult time socially and emotionally than the "lower functioning" people do. I think that when a person has the intelligence and self-awareness to realize that he does have a disability, that creates a situation that can be harder to adjust to. A person in that situation understands that he is "missing something" and that people are treating him differently. That's not to say that such people can't be well-adjusted and emotionally stable; just that their lives may be more likely to be a bit complicated.
Often "lower-functioning" people don't have an awareness that they are "different" in any way. They may have quite high self-esteem and a great joy in life. They are marching to the beat of a different drummer, and it's a wonderful march. I love teaching kids with moderate to severe cognitive delays; they are living in the moment and not hung up on what they want or need in the future. It's a blessing to be with people who are truly happy and stop to fully appreciate a flock of birds flying in the blue sky, or the smell of a beautiful rose. My students don't get into the business of thinking - as we tend to do - that they will be happy when something else happens (like I get a better job, or a new boyfriend, or finish this report, or whatever); they are ready to love their lives, their friends and families, and themselves, right now!
So I would have to say that some of the developmentally disabled people I know are among the most happy and emotionally stable people ever!
2006-10-21 17:17:12 · answer #1 · answered by sonomanona 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I haven't read the book, but I am definitely going to check it out, now...thanks to you. I'd like to tell you first, though, that I think it's real neat that you are wondering about such things! Most people don't even entertain these kind of ideas, which, in my opinion, makes you so much richer in so many ways...on a deeper level than most! Personally, I do know that your emotions affect EVERYTHING in your life...body, soul, spirit and mind, physical, metaphysical and so on and so forth. They influence how our desicions are made and influence us heavily.....so, in theory, if the brain is under-developed, then the emotional part would be as well.
2006-10-21 12:46:22 · answer #2 · answered by crazynays 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly they can!
Mental stability is the ability to keep emotions in check, something many non-disabled peerson don't do!
The mentally disabled adults I've worked with came from loving, supportive homes and had more perseverance for overcoming obstacles than many non-disabled people.
Things that "get under our skin" didn't seem to bother the group I worked with. They had their moments, but don't we all?!
2006-10-21 23:35:30 · answer #3 · answered by atheleticman_fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋