Knowledge of Family Caregivers on Care of Mentally Challenged Children: A Review Article

Abstract

The degree of impairment from mental retardation varies widely, from profoundly impaired to mild or borderline retardation. Less emphasis is now placed on the degree of retardation and more on the amount of intervention and care needed for daily life. Not all parents have adequate knowledge regarding intellectual disability. There is an existing lack of knowledge among the family caregivers on care of mentally challenged children in variety of areas such as the meaning, aetiology, condition of disability, management, medications, basic care, menstrual hygiene, handling behaviour problems, facilities and benefits available for mentally challenged. Thus, the family caregivers require comprehensive information on mental retardation management, skill intervention, behavioural intervention, basic childcare, sexual issues, prevention of abuse and the services available in India.

Keywords: knowledge, awareness, mental retardation, mentally challenged children, family caregivers