Hesperian Health Guides
Focus on and Develop a Child’s Strengths
HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 54: Work: Possibilities and Training > Focus on and Develop a Child’s Strengths
He may be happier as a farm worker than a writer or bookkeeper. | |||
A child with cognitive delay and typical physical development... | . . . may find it easier to learn certain physical skills . . . | . . . than to learn mental skills. | |
She may be happier as a health worker or school teacher than a farmer or grain grinder. | |||
A child with physical disabilities and typical cognitive skills... | . . . may find it easier to learn mental skills... | than to learn physical skills. | |
He may be happier as a sandal maker or welder than a field worker. | |||
A child with disabilities affecting his legs... | . . . may find it easier to learn manual skills . . . | . . . than to learn skills that require use of his legs and feet. |
He may be happier as a village musician than a goat herder or hunter. | |||
A child with loss of vision... | . . . may find it easier to learn skills that depend mainly on hearing and touch. | . . . than to learn jobs that are much more difficult without eyesight. |
CAUTION! It usually makes sense to help children develop specialized work skills in the areas where they are strongest. But it is also important for them to develop self-care and daily living skills as best they can, even though this may be difficult. A child with cognitive delay needs to learn basic communication skills. A child with spasticity needs to learn, if possible, how to prepare food and keep house. A child with paralysis or vision loss needs to learn how to get from place to place.
This page was updated:04 Apr 2024