Overprotecting Disabled Children

Overprotecting Another aspect to parenting disabled children is balancing protection and overprotection. Many times parents are afraid their disable child is unfit to make certain decisions, could harm themselves, or feel they are not ready to face certain things. Although protecting children is a God-given instinct, overprotecting them out of fear damages their potential to grow (Clinton & Sibcy, 2006). In many cases, mothers of autistic children feel an increased need to protect their children from even the smallest of things they believe are damaging (Dudziak, 1982). Although many autistic children function at a diminished capacity, they still need similar life experiences as non-disabled children in order to learn to function independently (Dudziak, 1982). One of the ways parents attempt to overprotect their children is by lying about what life is actually like,
This comes into play when the parent does not require the child to participate in cleaning, cooking, taking care of the lawn, and so on (Clinton & Sibcy, 2006). For parents with disabled children, many of them feel like it is easier to do the work than to take the extra time and do it with the child (Ankonina & Margalit, 1991). Although it may be easier, parents are doing their disabled children an injustice by not training them to take responsibility (Ankonina & Margalit, 1991). Contrary to what the parent may think, children are capable of maintaining a clean play room, helping pack lunches or make dinner, as well as washing dishes or taking out the garbage (Clinton & Sibcy, 2006). Disabled children may have a slightly more difficult time completing the task or remembering to do it, but they still have the ability to help with things around the house provided the parents help them accomplish it (Ankonina & Margalit,