Tips for Parents

• Learn about mental retardation. The more you know, the more you can help yourself and your child. Ask your doctor for resources and organizations. (See Resources for parents)
• Encourage your child to be independent. For example, help your child learn daily care skills. These include dressing, feeding him or herself, using the bathroom, and grooming.
• Give your child chores. Keep her age, attention span, and abilities in mind. Break down jobs into smaller steps. For example, if your child's job is to set the table, first ask her to get the right number of napkins. Then have her put one at each family member's place at the table. Do the same with the utensils, going one at a time. Tell her what to do, step by step, until the job is done. Demonstrate how to do the job. Help her when she needs assistance. Give your child frequent feedback. Praise your child when he or she does well. Build your child's abilities.
• Find out what skills your child is learning at school. Find ways for your child to apply those skills at home. For example, there is a lesson about money, take your child to the supermarket with you. Help him count out the money to pay for your groceries. Help him count the change.
• Look for social activities in your town. Things like scouts, recreation center activities, and sports are good options. These will help your child build social skills as well as to have fun.
• Talk to other parents whose children have mental retardation. You can share advice and emotional support. Call NICHCY (1.800.695.0285) and ask how to find a parent group near you.
• Meet with the school and develop an educational plan to address your child's needs. Keep in touch with your child's teachers. Offer support. Find out how you can support your child's school learning at home.

Borrowed from the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, Mental Retardation Fact Sheet (FS8). Accessed on 11/12/04, http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs8txt.htm#parents.