An Understanding of the Need for Psychosocial Support System among Children with Physical Disabilities: Linking Theory with Realities

The paper examined the psychosocial development in children with physical disabilities with a view to underscoring their plights, challenges and their mindset. The study also sought to determine the appropriate psychosocial support that would enhance their personality development. Based, on Erickson’s theory, the paper explored the psychosocial development and challenges facing children generally and in particular children with physical disabilities, across the early stages of human development. Efforts were made to match some of the theoretical postulations with the reality of the conditions of children in this category. The development, which revealed some incongruous between what the theory says and practical experience of children with physical disability, and thus necessitate the need for appropriate psychosocial support system for this type of children. Consequently, some useful psychosocial support components based on the concept of positive regard, were recommended to enhance the personality development in children with physical disabilities.

Keywords: Psychosocial support; Physical disability; Personality development and Psychosocial development