How do the basic needs of children with mental retardation compare to the basics needs of of children w/o MR?

Answer 1

The basic needs of all human beings are the same. We all need to have our basic physiological needs (for food, water, shelter) filled before we can move on to more complex needs such as love and belonging.

I have done many "ability awareness" trainings in schools and in recreational settings, and I emphasize that people with disabilities have mostly similarities, not differences, with people who do not have diagnosed disabilities. That's why "people first" language - a person who has a disability, rather than a disabled person - is important. We want to focus on the humanity of the person, and what we all have in common, rather than the differences between us.

People with disabilities need varying degrees of support to successfully participate in the community. But basic needs are the same over the world.

And to address the issue of the terminology of "mental retardation," we can't really consider this an outmoded term because it is an official criterion for eligibility for special education and other services in many areas. And - speaking as the sister of a 41-year-old woman with Down syndrome, and as a special education teacher - I can say from personal and historical perspective that the term "mentally retarded" is pejorative only because "popular culture" has made it acceptable to use phrases such as "That's so retarded," or "Quit acting like a retard," as an insult. Retarded simply means slowed or delayed, and mentally refers to thought processes or learning, so mentally retarded literally means slow learning. And that's really not offensive. When my sister was born in 1965, the professionals of the day referred to her as "a Mongoloid," or "a Mongolian idiot." People with what we now call "developmental disabilities" or "cognitive delays" were also previously classified as "feeble-minded" or as "moron, idiot, or imbecile." Now we use terms such as "developmentally delayed," which lead people to believe that with enough therapy and special education, the person will "catch up" because they aren't "disabled," or - God forbid - "mentally retarded" - they are just "delayed." And giving that kind of false hope is not a kindness.

Answer 2

They are the same--to be taught--to have emotional support, etc. The child with an intellectual disability (it is NOT called retardation--except by the ignorant) is in most cases capable of learning. The teaching techniques have to be modified and the pace slower. That's the only difference.

Answer 3

I disagree with "Crabby" about the word retardation. I have a daughter with Downs syndrome and she has mental retardation as well as physical disabilities. Those who are in denial find a way to sugar coat the diagnosis, but retarded means delayed. Thats exactally what she is - delayed in her learning. Her basic needs are the same: she needs nourishment, love, comfort and support. She is more determined than most people to succeed at what she does, it just takes her longer to master new skills and her goals are smaller than what most concider normal.

Answer 4

BAsic needs are basic to everyone, food, warmth, shelter. MR children just need help with the service of those needs.

Answer 5

they need to be taught things that a non-MR child can pick up by observation. they need to be shown how to do things more times and shown more patience when they don't do it as well. they might need help with basic skills, like feeding, dressing, bathrooming for a longer time. I taught a girl that didn't learn to tie her shoes til she was 12. skills need to be broken down into small steps that have to be repeated over and over til they are learned. there isn't room here to fully answer this. go to your library or read the links.