What activites can we do with a mentally retarded adult, with a mental age of a 4 year old child?

Question

My uncle moved in our house about 6 months ago. He has a mental age of a 4 year old child.

He used to go to a special school and he enjoyed it there because he has friends and has things to do. But since our house is so far away from the school (3-5 hr drive), he just stays at our house (with his nanny).

Most of us are out for work or busy doing chores. I feel guilty seeing him do nothing but i don't know how to deal with him.

He's not active because he's physically weak as he has to be dyalized 2 times a week and that he broke his thigh bone about 8 months ago. His thigh is already healed now but he's afraid to walk around for exercise as he might fall.

His activities are sleeping, eating, and watching TV. Just that. and he responds to us by just saying yes though we try to interact with him. He doesn't talk much though i know he has the mental capacity to do so. Whenever i try to do crafts with him, he would just watch and expect someone else to do it for him.

please help us

Answer 1

You shouldn't have to look after your uncle........

........That's the job of his parents, your grandparents

Answer 2

Start off slow with playing board games associated with that specific age group.  A course at the college I attend is currently studying the effects of game play on social, emotional, and physical development.  Now, I understand that giving time for this may be difficult, but interaction through  small board games will help to reinforce the basics for moral structures and rules associated with the actual game. Play a game with your adult friends that you may have played when you were younger, and analyze which features will best help the mentally retarded adult to understand.  An example is the game "Guess Who?", which provides entertainment along with strategies such as picking unique characteristics, identifying characteristics, gender and colors, short term memory strengthening, and sets a base for rules and the importance of regulations. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

play kid games with him candy land stuff like that. i work at a school adn sometimes they have me go into the special ed class if they're short on aides and the kids there LOVE that elefun game where the elephant shoots out butterflies and you have to catch them. color with him just think of stuff a kid would like to play

Oh and if he expects you to do it for him jus tell him no u try i want to see what you can make. some kids do it to me in that class and expect me to do some crafts they do for them adn ill tell them but then ill have the fun and you'll just sit there wishin you where havin fun to so ill help them do it and then they get into it alot

Answer 4

It very much depends on your uncle's interests but as you know his mental age and ability, you already have a starting point.  Simply games such as Snap, Kerplunk, Buck-a-roo, etc; might stimulate some interest.  There are some lovely educational DVDs and tapes so as your uncle enjoys music or cartoons, they can be incorporated into these.  He might like to hear appropriate books being read to him (suitable for younger children) and if your uncle enjoys snacks - they could be hidden under a tea-towel, etc; so that he has to look for them and work for his treat.  My own 19 year old son has the mental age of a 12 month baby and his play ability and understanding is obviously severely affected.  As he currently ignores his other toys and only plays with balls (for up to 12 hours each day) I recently asked the speech and language therapist if this was harmful to him.   I was advised that his limited play would have no serious consequences and that he could again begin to play with other toys (appropriate to his mental age) but it might take a considerable amount of time.  I would persevere with very basic activities and toys, and as food seems to be an incentive for your uncle (as it is with my own son) healthy snacks could be used as rewards.  PECs might be an excellent communication system for your uncle and snacks could be used for the exchanges.   The system would create an activity, encourage communication and provide your uncle with the reward he enjoys.  You can complete a 'search' for PECs on-line.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Find things that he likes to do, and things that will enhance his learning. Sensory activities (playing with playdough, shaving cream, playing in a bin of rice) is very calming and might be a good way to begin an activity. The worst thing that you can do is treat him like a child. Treat him like an adult and help him to become as independent as possible. You said that he wants everyone to do everything for him - this is called learned helplessness. If you'll do it for him, why should he bother? Are there any opportunities in your town, to get him friends who are mildly mentally retarded? That friend could be a mentor to him and boost his confidence. Also, meeting with another family who is dealing with the same issues, may help you to find activities and learn what he needs. Good luck! - remember you are doing a great thing taking care of him

Answer 6

You can gradually intoduce new things to him such as games and crafts.You may even start to introduce walking again.At first  He will need some help but over time he will

will grow less dependent and more confident. Im not saying he will grow completly independent but it will help. Or you can search for some nearby schools over the internet

Answer 7

YoU cAn EnCoUrAgE hIm To TaLk. I think it would be best if you found another 4 year old ( a friendly one) and take him to visit your uncle( of course, with the 4 year old's parents' permission)

Answer 8

If he has a wheelchair and your capable, I bet he would enjoy a walk around the neighborhood for a change of scenery. If he has a mental age of a 4 yr old then think like one yourself and what 4 yr olds like to do. I imagine he might like playing with Playdoh, simple board games, cards, and maybe even simple video games.

Answer 9

you should try board games, they play those at most places, even card games. i know that sorry and uno are good ones.  ask him what they use to do at the school and try to see if he wants to do some of thoes with you. like go to the library or a walk with you or the nanny.

Answer 10

Respect him as your uncle and not your niece.. Play a game would be great!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

If he can communicate well enough, maybe see if you can find out what activities he did at his school. If he won't/can't say maybe your parents could call the school and try to speak with someone there like a case worker or teacher who knows him personally and knows what kind of stuff he did daily & what he liked.

Probably the best thing to do though is to get some professional help or advice. Does he have any kind of social worker or case worker who is in charge of his services? If he is afraid to walk then he might need some special physical therapy to help him get over that fear. In some areas you can get a therapist to come to the house or a van to pick him up for those appointments. Also lots of towns will have day programs for adults with disabilities- he might be able to attend for activities/socializing. If the way he's acting now (just watching TV& sleeping) isn't how he has been previously maybe he is depressed also.

I guess I don't have many real ideas of stuff for you to do, but probably your family speaking to social/case worker (I'm not sure what they're called honestly:) ) would be the best idea since it sounds like he might need or benefit from a little more than what your family is able to do.