Intellectual Disabilities (or PWID)

Personal safety

As we talk about the adaptive skills the person with intellectual disabilities (PWID) needs, we cannot neglect the issues of personal safety. I find there is a trusting in the pwid that is beyond common sense. Their belief is not always the most discerning. They must be taught or reasoned with, but hopefully, not frightened into the knowledge of safety.

How do we as caretakers decipher the challenges of the pwid concerning trusting others? Do we need to be on guard every minute? No. We need to do our best and trust in our teachings. For example, when our children are small, we tell our children about strangers and the evils of relaxing their defenses. Well that is good, but how do we do more to help?  

If you have the privilege of having outside support and if you are not using them, you should be taking advantage of what they offer. We have in our area wonderful support systems set in placed that help with a multitude of help; one in particular offers assistance with job and social skills. They have the staff, which have dealt people with a variety of disabilities, encourage the social skills that will enable them to reason and solve everyday difficulties. For example, someone saying something inappropriate or if they are handling a very intense situation, the staff in this organization does not interlope into the situation, they help the people involved find and think about the solutions.

Don’t try to carry all these concerns on your shoulders, share the burdens. The people in these organizations are very professional. They have more experience with many different kinds of disabilities and the knowledge on how to successfully help people with disabilities arrive to solutions, while building confidence in them.

This is a very concerning issue and the more people involved in helping; the better they will see solutions that will be a foundation of them having an independent life. Contact your local agencies dealing with the disability. I found several for my local area by googling on the internet, “help with people with a disability in the (your zip code)”. A list of agencies popped up and I had my choice of help. Be discerning not all agencies help with your needs. Once you get an in, you can ask the agency you’ve contacted for more information concerning your need.

Don’t forget many states have funded respite care for caretakers so they can take a break and come back stronger for their special person. It is important for caretakers to get outside of the disability. These organizations might not pay for you to get away, but will offer someone to take over as caretaker while you are gone. Check out your local organizations for a multitude of services available and take advantage of them that is why they are there. The next article will be about home living.