[Player Management] Mental disability

[UDEbot]

Mental disability
from UDE's Player Management Forums

Hi

I speak here about situation, that didnt happen, but may happen in the future:

In the local store, where I am the judge, there is a child that is mentaly slowed down. The other player
dont trade the cards with him anymore because it takes for him up to 2 hours to choose if he want
to trade and which card he really want. When he plays for fun - it takes more than 2 minutes
to decide and he makes sometimes his decision undone. He understands the rules of the game correctly.

He didnt play any tournament, but ..

How do I react if he will ever play and play at his space

- Do I give extra time ? (other player would not be happy to play a round of 80 minutes or so)
or
- Do I give warnings/game/match losses ? (The store ownere woulnd be happy - he supports me with 100 percent but it is not good because of the mother of the child)

Remy
Huntik, Yugi, PM, TO LV1



http://entertainment.upperdeck.com/community/forums/thread/1639393.aspx

 

[DarkLogicianOfCaos]

I know quite a number of friends of mine are otherly abled. The one thing they share is a desire to be treated like any other. Rounds lasting longer than 40 minutes is not right for the other players and a burden on the staff. Just keep an eye as best you can without neglecting the other players to ensure they are not taken advantage of. Another issue you may have to face is hovering parents. They may wish to help and so interfere. We must gently encourage the parents that this is a great place for their child to learn a bit of independance. that it is a safe palce to spread their wings and learn a little to fend for themselves.

 

[Digital Jedi]

I actually did read this one on the other forum. I kind of liked John's answer. Card/Comic geeks can have tendency to be a little crude in these situations. Specifically, when they don't have a disabled person in their family or circle of friends. My advice is to be patient, and try to avoid being crude (something you should do regardless of the players ability.) Parents in these situations will likely already be involved from the start, and if they aren't, they are already trying to give their kid a measure of independence. A game doesn't have to go slower then normal. But it also doesn't have to go at a brisk pace because others are impatient. Keep in mind that kids tend to be impatient with the disabled, even when they're moving a fraction of a second slower then they do.