Need seen for help for parents of handicapped
Those who have been working with the intellectually handicapped over the last 10 to 15 years have been amazed at the levels which they can reach. The Intellectually Handicapped Children’s Society’s national adviser on services (Mr D. J. Callander) does not think the full limit of these levels is yet known. Even though the handicapped adolescent is often difficult to control, many more of these children are now at home with their parents.
“I am not saying that this is an easy thing to undertake, either for the child or for the parents,” said Mr Callander. ‘‘This emphasises
the need for more help to be available to the parents, particularly those with an adolescent handicapped child living at home. “Even the economics of such a placement are selfevident. If the parent did not care for his child, the child would be a very heavy monetary charge on the State. “As a country, we are lacking in support for parents. This help should be material and practical,” said Mr Callander. “Examples of such help are increased financial aid for such things as an additional bedroom so that the intellectually handicapped adolescent does not have to share with another member of the family, and some physical help within the home should this be required.
“Emotional help is also essential. This can be given through adequately trained home visitors or social workers available on demand as a crisis arises within the family. “For the child living in the community, an obvious facility—transport to and from schook—must also be available. Extra-mural activities, including clubs attended by both boys and girls, are required, as are similar types of social activities, so that parents may have a break. “There must be adequate short-stay facilities, which may in the future take the form of summer camps or other such interesting proposals, so that the intellectually handicapped adolescent, too, may enjoy his holiday,” Mr Callander said. A
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Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32849, 24 February 1972, Page 10
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327Need seen for help for parents of handicapped Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32849, 24 February 1972, Page 10
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