Can adults with developmental disabilities make good parents?
920840
I am not a doctor, I am a special education teacher.  So, my advise is not medical.  Yes, they absolutely can make wonderful parents.  Developmental disabilities can mean many different things.  If they have mild learning disabilities, a person would generally not even know they have special needs by speaking/interacting with them.  They have an abundance of support systems available for people with disabilities.  SSI is a main one, and no, that does not mean our tax dollars pay for their services.  They have incentives to work but at the same time keep some of their medical benefits.  There are services that come in and teach the needed skills, i.e. parenting, to make the transition into parenthood as easy as possible.  People with disabilities are some of the most caring individuals you will ever meet.  It may take them a little longer to grasp certain concepts, however with support groups, this is possible.  Check out microboards on the Internet, they are support groups of people who are centered around the individual with a disability.
908602
Who says Dads are not smart ? only those dads that do say they aren't don't know how hard it is to be on top of every bad situation their children bring to them, It's not about being the smartest it's the knowledge of knowing what to do in the right situation when it comes and knowing the Law and learning more than what their own children know to help them when that time arrives to help them in any givien situation good or bad. and plus being a good listener is always a great help and knowing their children well enough to where they will come to him no matter what happens by helping them in any way. Like My Daughter wants a new Car, Time to get a job to afford one is a starter. nothing in life is free to them just the advice I give them As their Dad !!
691412
Autism is neither good nor bad - as you pointed out, there are incredible, unexplained good things about it - from math to music, autistic people have changed the world - for those who have close relationships with autistic people, such as parents, siblings, etc. Autism can be a very challenging thing to deal with - the way that Autistics view the world, and especially the people around them is very different from non-autistics. It can be difficult to establish a relationship with your child or sibling as the autistic person's focus on things and people is very different - establishing that relationship can be the most incredible thing you've ever done.
379805
I wish you the best.  I don't think they will make him. I know the last deployment that i went on we had a guy that had 2 kids with minor disabilities and he was told that he could have gotten out of the deployment because of it.  His kids are able to go to a normal but do have some problems.  The fact that your husband is working full time and going to school full time might show that he dose not need to be at home so that might be a problem.  You might what to talk to your congressmen about it they can be a big help call his office.  I don't think your husband should be excused but i do understand what you are going though.  I wish you the best
431384
First of all, not all mentally retarded people produce children with mental retardation.  \n\nIf the person is disabled to the point where they can't take care of themselves, I say no, they shouldn't have children.  If the person is mildly retarded it's a different story.  \n\nI generally don't believe in disallowing the right to reproduce, but if the child can not possibly be taken care of without constant outside help, I have to say that it is extremely unfair to the kids.  If the parents decide to put the child up for adoption, I'm in favor of it.  If they plan on keeping children they can't care for due to their disability, then no.  I know that sounds awful, but I'm talking about severe disability only.
1102366
Absolutely! I believe that my husband deserves a wonderful day for whatever makes him happy!!! We've been through a lot together throughout life and he helped to Bless me with our 3 kids so why not? I truly think though as parents, really, it is parents day ever day when you look at your parenting as a Gift and not a huge burden!!! Yeah, oh yeah, there are times where it feels like a lot of work, and you're tired, and he's tired and all of it, but you know what? To watch your kids grow from a Mom and a Dad's perspective, and become adults who are Christian, loving, caring, intelligent, and know who they are and want to help others? What a Gift that is, right? I'm sorry, what was the question,lol!!! Just kidding! ;)
80671
Childeren with disabilities are no different than you or I. It just a matter of what the parents are willing to fight for for their child.\nIn education, every school, yes, every school has to buy law provide accommondations to not only children, but any one wanting to learn. Documentation of the child/persons limitations and disabilities by professional goes along way in helping establish the accommodations that will help him or her succeed in life.  Most of all don't give up.  Remember by federal law all instructional institutions have to provide services.  In the site www.dpi, for state type in your states abreviation.\nI teach basic education and work with people of special needs and disabilities.
1127127
Being a parent, but that takes being a good spouse first.
30692
Yes, but there is an increased risk of their child also having Down Syndrome. Sometimes very mentally retarded people are sterile though, so if this is a question pertaining to a certian someone you know, they'd need to get a check up to find out for SURE.
91191
depends on your relationship with your parent.  i've seen it work with a lot of family corporations.  and also seen it fail with others.  bottomline:  assess your relationship with your parent. being their child, i would think that you have a good grasp of their capabilities and would know what areas they would do well and what areas you should be alarmed about.
674051
Why is it that parents aren't allowed to be parents anymore?  If we were then we wouldn't have the problems we nowadays with kids misbehaving.  I have seen people come up to parents who are correcting their child for misbehaving and tell the parents they are demeaning their child when they weren't. \n\n They weren't hitting,beating or abusing the child at all.  Raising their voice a little, sure, but demeaning, nope.  Kids now a days also know that if they get mad at mom and dad all they gotta do is tell someone and they can get their parents into trouble.  I have seen this happen.  \n\nI have even had my own kids threaten me with this.  I told them go ahead.  If they did this they would get taken away and wouldn't allowed to take their stuff.  They didn't tell of course, but then again, they were only mad at me for sending them to time out or something, but still many kids do this.\n\nAnyway to answer your question many parents, myself included are already pist about not really being allowed to parent at having so many restriction put on us (not that I spank or anything.  A swat on the butt now and then) that when other people once again stick their noses in when where they don't belong it pisses us off.  We do the best we can given that we as parents really can't do alot anymore as parents and the kids know it.  Plus we don't like it when others threaten/correct our kids, brings out the animal in us.  GRRR!  LOL\n\nPlus what is being considered as misbehaving by you, may not by the parents.  I know my youngest has ADHD so he is really hyper even with meds so when we go out in public he has trouble sitting still and everything. So while I think for him he is being very well behave, you may not.  So does this mean I have to keep him home until he is an adult?  I think not.  I'm not going to keep my child home just to keep you and others happy. \n\n So before you think a child is misbehaving think about and for God's sake don't even think about correcting the child.  It's not up to you, it's not your child and for all you know the parents may have already put a punishment in place like a time out or being grounded when they get home.
35450
Yes, they can. However, they should maintain a close relationship with their health professional and/or counselor to make sure that their disorder is not affecting their parenting. If their symptoms are under control, there is no reason that they can't be a healthy parent.\n\nDr. Barb Nefer, http://www.bnlifeskills.com
1036341
I have a daughter 17 which came to live with me last year. Her grades suffered for the last semester of the year. We sat down and talked and I started let her live more as a young adult rather than a child and the grades have improved. She still had guidelines but were alot less stringent. Allowing a child to grow a little bit helps alot. I was guilty of not wanting my kids to grow up and I was the problem which I realized. I have bit the ole tongue and let her fall a few times but it has helped her grow more.\n  I also have a son who is 12 diagnosed with ADHD(5yrs) I have spent time at the school sharing information with the school on some of the do's and dont's of a ADHD child. Some teachers listen but some are still blind to ADHD. I have encouraged that the teachers become more aware of ADHD and ADD. But what can we expect because our teachers who are molding the grown ups of tomorrow are not paid enough. Educators which care move on to higher paying jobs so that they can support their families and not have to deal with parents who send their kids to school for  baby sitting.\n  We as parents have to be more involved in our school system with support as well discipline.
701904
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your son!!  It sounds like you are really doing well to have your IFSP in place and therapy underway...some families don't recongnize the importance of Early Intervention!\n\nMy son is 2 years old and also has Down syndrome.  I have no first-person experience with adults with Down syndrome, but I have heard some wonderful stories of how people with Down syndrome can live pretty normal lives.  Once such story, which you may have already heard about is of Sujeet and Carrie Desai.  They are a couple, both with Down syndrome, who recently got married and who live mostly independently, but have some help.  There was a story on 20/20 about them and you can see the video at\n\nhttp://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2354714&page=1\n\nAlso, I just this week attended a forum for my state's legislators on Developmental Disabilities.  Across the back wall of this large auditorium stretched a banner with literally hundreds of business and agencies that actively employ or help find employment for people with Developmental Disabilities.  There were stores, offices, law firms, hospitals, etc.  I was staggered to think of the options that will be open to my son when he is older.\n\nThere are other stories of people with Down syndrome living their dreams....  here are a couple links about two women, both with DS who have done some amazing things....one swam the English Channel and the other swam from Alcatraz to SF\n\nhttp://www.karengaffneyfoundation.com/swimmers.shtml\n\nhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/wesh/20061103/lo_wesh/10237606\n\nI think that things can only continue to improve for our kids.  I'm sure that you, like my husband and I, have the philosophy of never saying "can't".  Our children's potential is limitless!\n\nAlso, if you have not already found it, I would invite you to go to \nhttp://www.downsyn.com/\nand especially check out the forum.  There you will meet people with children of all ages who have DS.  They are a great source of support and information!\n\nBest of luck with your sweet little boy.  He will never cease to amaze you!
1107404
Are you looking for support groups for adult students, or are you looking for parent support groups?\n\nParent support -- you can ask the people at these links about support in your town:\n\nhttp://www.php.com/include/agency/show_list.php?where_ConditionsID=32\n\nhttp://www.sonoma.edu/cihs/CAmap/disability.htm\n\n\nIf you are an adult student:\n\nhttp://www.ldaca.org/about.html\n\nhttp://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_ld.htm\n\nUniveristy guidelines for the supports they offer:\nhttp://www.saonet.ucla.edu/OSD/docs/Guidelines/ucdssld.htm
70955
My only experience with this is in wound care.  I can't really think of anything it could offer a child with developmental delays.  If the person recommending this isn't an M.D. or similar, be really, really carful to read as much as possible before you invest a fortune.
989313
Our oldest is autistic and wasn't properly diagnosed until age 6. It was actually a relief to find out what was going on. We felt like complete failures as parents because it seemed like everything we did for him was wrong. Once we knew what was going on and were able to educate ourselves, we were able to relate to him better and find a comfortable home life.\n\nAs for how my partner dealt with it... there were times when he was so frustrated he blamed me, himself and the doctors. Of course, I did the same thing. It made our marriage hell for awhile. The important thing is that we resolved ourselves to deal with the situation and we've made it through.\n\nI think all children are a gift from God... regardless of a disability. And, no, I wouldn't have changed anything from conception to birth. There's no guarantee that anything would have turned out differently.