Working with Mentally Disabled Adults

Approximately, six million people, three percent of Americans are mentally challenged, disabled (or mentally retarded). There are four levels of retardation: mild, moderate, severe and profound. The majority of mentally retarded persons are only mildly mentally retarded with an IQ of 50-70. This accounts for about 85 percent of the retarded population.

Mentally disabled adults are often misunderstood. They are like other people except they learn at a slower pace. Their cognitive skills cause them to have limitations in their ability to live independently but they are still grown adults that face in daily living challenges like everyone else. Even though they learn at a slower pace, they still have emotions and feelings as all adults.

The mentally challenged face the same emotional challenges other adults face but don’t always receive the same levels of attention and understanding from family members and caregivers. Unfortunately, their emotions and feelings are overlooked and brushed aside. The following list highlights what mentally disabled adults struggle with and need assistance when facing these challenges.

1. The need to be understood

2. The need to belong

3. The need to be loved

4. The need for acceptance

5. The need for confidence

6. Anger

7. Anxiety

8. Depression

9. Sexual feelings

10. Grief and loss

It is important for the family members and caregivers to provide opportunities to tackle these issues through counseling or other related sources so they can work through these issues. Anytime issues are brushed aside they become bigger and more prevalent and can cause serious problems.

Call Total Life Counseling today if you would like assistance with someone you know that is mentally disabled and struggling with any of the above challenges. We will work with you and the person you are caring for by spending time getting to know your situation and the obstacles that are being faced. We treat the mentally disabled with respect and dignity and give them an opportunity to have a voice and be heard.

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Office Locations and Areas Served

Total Life Counseling Center provides counseling, therapy, coaching, camps and career services for all of central Florida, including: Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, College Park, Dr. Phillips, Pine Castle, Conway, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Oviedo, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deland, De Bary, Deltona, Daytona, New Smyrna, Cocoa, Titusville, Merritt Island, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Celebration, Mt. Dora, the Villages and the tri-cities of Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg.

Our counseling, therapy, camps, group, coaching and career services are conveniently located at:

1507 S. Hiawassee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, FL 32835

Lee World-1850 Lee Road Ste. #215, Winter Park, FL 32789

1850 N. Alafaya Trail Building 1-A Orlando, FL 32826 Suite 1A

7432 State Road 50, Groveland, FL 34736

Call us (407) 248-0030

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