INFLUENCE OF SIBLINGS ON THE BEHAVIOURAL SKILLS OF MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN

The present study assessed and compared the adaptive behaviour skills and disturbed behaviour of 150 mentally challenged (MC) children from 3 RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) recognised special schools of Delhi across their number of siblings. Sample was drawn randomly in equal proportions from three categories of mental challenge under study viz. mild, moderate and severe mental challenge. The adaptive behaviour skills and disturbed behaviour of MC children were assessed using Behavioural Assessment Scales for Indian Children with Mental Retardation Part A and Part B developed by NIMH. The findings of the present study reveal that more the number of siblings higher the adaptive behaviour skills and lower the disturbed behaviour in mentally challenged children, irrespective of their degree of mental challenge. Interestingly, the predominant reason for significant differences in adaptive and disturbed behaviour across number of siblings was observed to be siblings’ support, guidance and vigilance, which helped differently-abled children in acquiring and improving adaptive behaviour skills and in minimizing disturbed behaviour.