The mentally slow child and sex
SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT 495
Mentally slow children, like others, as they grow up take increased interest in sex. In
fact, they may take more interest in bodily experiences because opportunities for other
activities are more limited.
Because the complex messages that the mentally slow child gets from other people
are often confusing or contradictory, the child may develop unacceptable patterns of
behavior. Often parents do not know how to handle this. For example, a mother may
be afraid to take her mentally slow boy with her to the market because he tries to touch
every girl he sees.
It is important that mentally slow children are helped to understand clearly what
behavior is acceptable and what is not, and where. To accomplish this, a behavior
approach to learning can be used. The family can consistently reward good behavior
and carefully avoid giving the child special attention or in any way rewarding bad
behavior. This approach is discussed in Chapter 40. In children with behavior difficulties,
if possible, the family should start using a behavior approach to learning long before the
child grows up sexually. The younger the better.
A common mistake is to pretend that mentally slow young people do not have a
need for loving personal relationships. The need exists, and if unanswered, can lead to
difficulties both for themselves and for others.
In most communities, it is very difficult for the mentally slow person to have a close,
loving relationship. In some countries, programs arrange for mentally slow persons
to live together in special homes or to come together for social activities. As a result,
some of them form couples, and sometimes marry.
Trying to protect mentally slow girls against sexual abuse, and undesirable
pregnancy, and at the same time respect the girls’ rights, can be difficult. Some
programs try to solve the problem through sex education, or by providing mentally
slow young women with family planning methods to prevent pregnancy. Check
with your local health worker to see what family planning methods are available and
acceptable in your area.
Marriage and family
In countries where the disabled have achieved greater acceptance and involvement
in the community, an increasing number of disabled persons, including some with fairly
severe disabilities, are getting married and having families of their own.
The ability of a married disabled person to bring up a family depends a lot on
economics. Thus, an effort to help young disabled persons learn the skills necessary
to work and earn a living or maintain a home is an important part of the preparation for
marriage and family.
disabled village children