Input from therapists, the prosthetist and other members of the child amputee center team can be useful to parents and child deciding which adaptive devices or techniques to use. Teasing can be especially troublesome for a child with a limb difference. Dealing with teasing by peers is an issue for children 5 to 10 years of age when relationships with friends and being one of the gang is important. The ACAC team recommends that parents explain to their child that everyone is different in some way and point out that most children get teased about something. It may be helpful to share some of the parent s own experiences.
Families can role-play on how to respond to teasing.
It is also a good idea for parents to support the child s attempt to handle the problem himself. It is best if the child has the opportunity to feel competent by handling these types of situations on his own. Peer acceptance is especially an issue in early adolescence. Families and children have reported that meeting other families with children with limb differences is helpful. Each year ACAC has a family picnic with the intention of providing an opportunity for families and children to meet one another and interact in a nonmedical setting.