When people say mentally disabled, you think of people who have down syndrome, autism or another disability. Most people think that if you are mentally disabled, you can't take care of yourself or hold a job. However, that isn't true. Just because someone is mentally disabled doesn't mean that they can't do something. It also doesn't mean that they should be treated any differently than everyone else. If you know someone who is mentally disabled, this is what you should do.
1. Treat them like you would want to be treated.
Would you want to be talked down to? Well, they don't either. They want to be treated like everyone, so you should treat them with respect. You also don't need to talk to them in a baby voice unless they are a baby. Most of them are adults, and they should be treated as such.
2. Just because someone is mentally disabled doesn't mean that they aren't able to do things on their own.
Yes, they may need assistance with things, but that doesn't mean that they can't do some things on their own. They are stronger than you think, and they are capable of doing incredible things.
3. Don't ever call them stupid, dumb or the worst of all, the R-word.
They aren't any of those things, so don't call them that. Just because they have a disability, it doesn't mean that they are stupid. Far from it. Every single person is smart, but just in different ways from others. They aren't stupid, and they don't deserve to be treated like they are.
If you know or meet someone who is mentally disabled, don't underestimate them. They aren't stupid, and they deserve the same amount of respect as everyone else. They are capable of doing amazing things; we just have to give them the opportunity. The term itself literally says "mentally able." They can do whatever they put their minds to, and we need to show them the support and respect that they all deserve.
