Living With a Mentally Challenged Individual

Caring for a mentally challenged individual can be difficult and challenging to say the least. The average I.Q. is believed to be 100, while individuals who are mentally challenged have an I.Q. that falls somewhere between the range of 84 and 70. It is important to have plenty of love, tolerance, patience, and empathy when dealing with such a mentally challenged individual.

Sometimes, mentally challenged individuals will experience peer pressure from their siblings. They may require 24 hours of care every day. You are likely to feel worried, frustrated, confused, and sometimes despairing. You may not understand why your loved one just can't stop their behaviors. You may feel guilty that somehow all it is your fault they are are mentally challenged, or angry that your loved one is just seeking attention, being lazy, not cooperating, or doing things on purpose. You may be confused about your loved one's behavior or embarrassed about them in public.

Patience is key when living with a mentally challenged individual. When speaking with them, use your normal tone of voice. Speaking more slowly or loudly won't make you easier to understand, and can be perceived as a negative thing to mentally challenged people. Speak in a manner appropriate to the person's mental age, but never speak to a mentally challenged adult as if he were a child. A mentally challenged individual may be slower to respond, but it doesn't mean they should be treated as children. It only means they need a bit more time to absorb what you are saying and to formulate a response.