Focus on and Develop a Child’s Strengths

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HealthWiki > Disabled Village Children > Chapter 54: Work: Possibilities and Training > Focus on and Develop a Child’s Strengths

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Children with disabilities also have areas of strength. It is important to help children discover and develop their strengths so that they can live full, happy lives. For example:

			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