Osama Ahmed Madbouly
The behavior of rejection is one of the most prominent challenges that parents face when raising children, and it is not very different in children with Down syndrome. It may seem like merely stubbornness or childish rebellion, but it is in fact much deeper than that, as it is related to psychological, nervous and sensory development, and reveals the child’s attempts to express himself amid the difficulties of the communication that he may face.
Why does the child say “no”?
Repeating the word “no” does not always mean rejection in its direct sense. Children with Down syndrome may use them to express different feelings, including:
– The desire for independence: Rejection here is a way to highlight the self and control the decisions.- The difficulties of communication: “No” becomes the alternative expression when the child cannot say “I do not like this food” or “I want something else”. Familiar.- Seeking help: The child may hide his inability to perform a task beyond the word “no”, as if to say “help me” without possessing the linguistic ability to clarify.
Between “I cannot” and “I do not wish”
The distinction between the rejection resulting from the deficit and the rejection resulting from the absence of desire is the key to the correct dealing with the situation.
– A child who cannot often try before he stops frustrating, while a child who does not want to avoid the task from the beginning or suggest another alternative.- Here lies the role of the guardian: providing assistance and dividing the task for the child who is unable, in exchange for the use of elastic package and bonuses with the child who is not willing.
The sensory and social aspect
Rejection may be associated with increased incentives in the environment (high sounds, strong lighting) or social pressure such as the presence of strangers, which makes “no” a way to escape a confusing position. Practical solutions and strategies to deal with “no”
Here we propose a set of practical methods to deal with this challenge, including:
– Calm and steadfastness: Emotional reactions enhance behavior instead of relieving it. Attention, ignoring may be the solution.- Understanding sensory stimuli and developing a plan to reduce them, while training the child on self-regulating strategies.
Family role
Dealing with “no” is not limited to the guardian alone, but extends to include siblings who need awareness to accommodate the real causes behind this behavior. Building a positive relationship based on patience and continuous love reduces the severity of the situation, and turns “no” from a disturbing word into an opportunity to understand the child in a deeper way.
In the end, “no” has a child with Down syndrome is not just a stubborn rejection, but rather a language in itself. Behind this short word hides desires, concerns, sensory needs, and perhaps an indirect request for help. The success of the family lies in listening, accurate observation, and reading between the lines, so that the rejection becomes a bridge to reach communication instead of being an obstacle before it.
