How do you deal with people with disabilities?

I took care of an autistic child when I was working in Kuwait. There were times that I had difficulties in handling his behaviour because he could be temperamental. It was my love and understanding to my ward’s condition that helped me throughout the four years. He was a loving child and once he felt my love, he could be clingy too. His tantrums came whenever he need full attention. I taught him how to write and how to draw. He loved drawing and enjoyed it. If he started to be rebellious, I  would hug him tightly though there were times he would hurt me. After a while he stopped. He also enjoyed dancing. I just played with him most of the time. Prayers were important too because it is through prayers that sustained me all those years. I also did a bit of researches too on how to deal with an autistic child which helped a lot in my dealing with my ward.

— Nila D. Labay

Taking care of people with disabilities is quite challenging. We have to deal with them with more patience and calmness of heart. First I try to identify the things that might trigger them to have tantrums and talk with them with calmness. We need to have deeper understanding and acceptance of their situation and let them feel that they are loved. If ever I myself have personal problems, I set them aside and focus more on them because they need more my attention and care.  — Lucrecia Lavega

My ward is a special child with downsyndrome but I always let him feel that he is normal and he is loved by us or the people around him and by God’s grace he is doing well. Every person with disablity have a unique personality. My ward is very easy going, always wears a smiling face, always happy, and always asks me how I am. If he feels that I am not okay, he will comfort me. That is why he is my stress reliever and my happy pill and I love it. In general, it’s very difficult to look after them especially if they have tantrum attacks but the secret is only patience. I believe if we love them them and love what we are doing everything is alright. 

— Ginalyn Ramos

We are all unique human beings with varying abilities and disabilities. Be natural and talk with a person who has a disability just as you would talk with anyone else. Don’t be patronizing in our question or our actions. Not every person with disability wishes to discuss their unique abilities or limitations. Wait until we know an individual before asking personal questions. Remember that the person who has a disability is a person first, and should not be defined solely by his or her disability. Let him or her tell us if he or she can’t do something rather than assuming that he or she cannot. If it looks like he or she needs help, offer it. Use our common sense here. 

— Jose Jay Cahayagan

When dealing with people with disabilities, remember the golden rule: treat them as you would like to be treated. Despite having impairments that significantly limit their ability to engage in more major life activities, they are nevertheless human like us. Another key thing to remember is to always ask before offering assistance. Just because a person has a disability doesn’t mean they need or want our help; it’s a sign of respect on their part. 

— Reynald G. Esguerra

To deal with a person with disabilities like autism, I think we should address him or her as we would with any other normal adult and not like a child; say what we mean and remember not to give parables or it will only make him or her confused; take time to listen to show that we do care. We must be patient because we have the capability to. However, be persistent to what we want him or her to do and be resilient to his or her cunning act or manipulation by ignoring his or her irritating attention- getting behaviour. Always stay positive and give reassurance when he or she is in a calm state. Yet when symptoms are about to start, we have to give distractions like playing his or her favourite music. We can also interact through physical activity like playing his or her favourite games or anything that would interest him.

— Delia Jarina

Avoid showing pity or being patronising. Do not let them feel useless just because they are disabled. Treat and talk with them as we would with a normal person. After all being disabled does not mean they lost their dignity as a human being.

— Mar Saw Pamat

Sometimes persons with disabilities wants to be independent. Some of them do not want to feel being pitied. That’s why before we try to help them, we need to ask them if they need help in a nice way that can’t hurt their feelings. Respect their decision. 

— Joan Ruelan