When accompanying adults with mental disabilities...?

Question

...is it rude to tell someone to stop talking to them like they're three years old?

They understand every word they hear, while this other person doesnt understand what they see... And they assume things far from the truth, generalizing...

This aggravates me.

What should I do in this situation?

Answer 1

People with mild intellectual disability deserve to be treated just like everyone else. They should be listened to and have a chance to speak. give them a fair chances. Sure they should wait their turn to and listen to what the other is saying.
If the person don't want to talk just say with respect I have to go or what ever. If this person does not have time then he is not a friend. It takes understanding.

They the person to listen to them and wait for them to finish.
You may need your self or some else to make sure each person is have a fair say. Let the other person know that just because he has a learning problem does not mean he don't have opinion, feeling and last but not least talent.

Answer 2

I can't imagine what people with mental disabilities go through. I have a friend who is a graduate student at a very good university and one day we went to a grocery store together and the clerk spoke to her as if she was 3 years old, while the girl was speaking in a normal manner. I asked her about it and she said it happens all the time she has got used to it and doesnt let it annoy her. I am not saying that this what you should do but maybe an option. Maybe find jokes in it.
If it is someone you see often you may want to nicely let them know that the person speaks and understands normally but it f it is someone you may never see again you may want to let it slide.

Answer 3

Most people don't really know how to talk appropriately with the mentally disabled. They aren't trying to be rude; they're trying to be friendly and should be treated politely. As we move the mentally disabled citizens into group homes in communities, it is vitally important that they become a real part of that community and much of the success (or failure) of doing that rests on the staff who are responsible for integrating their people into the community. Check to see what agencies, churches/ civic groups have activities that would be appropriate for the needs of your people. There may be friendship clubs where those with disabilities will be welcomed. Perhaps there would be civic groups who would appreciate a person speaking to their group about the ways a community can help disabled people fit in more easily. Ask before taking your people to a church; unfortunately, not all will welcome them.

Answer 4

Without being rude, I would definately point it out to people. Many people are probably just ignorant and either don't realize or don't know any better.
By saying something politely, you may accomplish two things
- the adults with mental disabilities will likely feel more respected when people talk to them like a regular adult, and
- the other adults might learn from you that they are treating people differently and they may become more aware and change their ways.

If you don't speak up about it, others may not realize they are doing something wrong.

Answer 5

Be a role model. Set the tone and each time someone talks to them like a child you talk to them as a peer. Never tell someone to stop talking to the other person when the other is within hearing distance. Many people don't realize that those with disabilities "hear" in their own way and understand in their own way. They also understand body language. Sounds like you could really educate that other person.

Answer 6

Remind the person politely that the person with the disability is not a child.

Maybe some people don't know how to react to a mentally challenged person and think that's the right thing to do. They may not realize it's inappropriate.

But, a lot of mentally retarded people are smart enough to know when somebody is talking down to them.

Answer 7

I know what you mean- I have two special needs teenagers and people DO tend to 'talk down' to them. Most of the time, since it's just in passing, I'll ignore it. Sometimes, though, if it's a person or people we're going to be around for any length of time, I'll just tell them very nicely that both of my kids have extremely good receptive language. When they ask what that means (and they always do), I tell them that it means that my kids understand every single word they hear. This is usually a pretty good deterrent.
Try not to be too harsh on people- they generally mean well.

Answer 8

To the person you are telling, they probably think you are rude - butting in where you are not wanted. But if you do it politely and in a non-judgemental way , you MIGHT be lucky and get yout point across. There are still people out there who still have old values and they might not see anything wrong with it. As long as they are not intimidating or abusive to the people they are with, you might just have to "let it go"

The best way is for you to set example by modelling your own behaviour and the way YOU talk to people who have the disability.

As for Grade ******, he can say what he like - but at any time , anywhere - he might get hit by a drunk driver, slip over a wet footpath, or have accident at work and suffer brain damage. Then we will see who's the retard then.

ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME could become disabled.

Answer 9

hell no it is not tell the person that is speaking to the person like a child that they are wrong this person is an ADULT and they should not be treated differently because they learn differently I have learning difficulties and i have been there plenty of times when i used to get support to go shopping the cashiers often addressed the support worker and not me (i'm from the UK) i dealt with it by saying in a polite but VERY firm voice "excuse me this is my shopping this person is my support worker you will speak only to me and not them i am a human being i know exactly what you are saying i understand perfectly it just takes me longer to do things so don't treat me like i am dumb just because i have a support worker with me!" it usually left them humbled and embarassed. i stopped letting support workers come shopping with me when it really became a problem. talking to someone like they are a small child when they are an adult is called being patronising or just plain rude... it's also very hurtful

Answer 10

I know exactly how that feels. It's very frustrating. I usually say something like-"I'd like you to meet Nancy. She's a very special person. What's your name?" This either startles them and they just stutter and walk away or say hello and tell me their name. It all depends on how rude the people are-and you know some of them can be very rude. You probably dont want to do what I did-many years ago. We took some of our patients from the hospital to a State Fair. We were all seated on the grass having lunch and a woman walked by and screamed at us. "You have no right to bring those monsters here". I instinctively screamed back at her. "Madam-you're the monster". Some of the children got it-and clapped. Still-I lost my cool and I've never done that again.