Staying active both physically and mentally is important for every individual. But this can be challenging to achieve with individuals who have physical, cognitive, or behavioral disabilities. It’s important to have plans for these individuals so that they may participate in leisure and recreational activities on a daily basis. Doing so will not only help them keep physically fit, but will also encourage socializing, creativity, and motor skills. That’s why the staff at On Angel’s Wings, Inc. was happy to put together this short article for helping individuals with special needs stay active.
First, we’ll go over some ways you can encourage individuals to participate in daily activities. Then we’ll break these activities into a few different categories so you can see some of the options—and maybe you’ll get creative and make up your own activities, too!
So, let’s dive into this short guide for helping individuals with special needs stay active.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to convince individuals to participate in daily activities. But this can be made a lot easier if you first found out what kind of activities they enjoy. For example, do they like sightseeing? If so, they may enjoy going for walks in the neighborhood or hiking on trails. Do they enjoy being creative? They may be interested in taking up drawing or painting, sometimes even in a group setting.
After you’ve found out what they enjoy doing, determine the range of their physical and cognitive capabilities. Remember, for example, that physical activities for individuals in wheelchairs may look slightly different than activities for those who are fully mobile. Either way, this is your opportunity to get creative and modify certain activities so your loved one can participate.
Everyone benefits from physical activity, no matter what age. In many cases, individuals with special needs who are enrolled in day care programs may already get physical activity throughout the day. Even so, it’s great to look into additional activities that you can do at home or on the weekend.
First, find exercises or activities that your loved one enjoys or has an interest in. Then just make sure to modify these activities to make them accessible to all ability levels.
Here are some examples of physical activities your loved one may enjoy.
Walking or even trail hiking is a great activity for individuals and small groups. Not only does walking offer physical exercise, but it also encourages socialization and observation skills. Encourage the individual to take note of their surroundings and enjoy the scenery. Try to get up to a brisk walk for even more physical activity.
Muscle strengthening is important for individuals of all ages. Strong muscles keep us in shape and can help us from sustaining serious injuries. Typical muscle strengthening activities include yoga, weightlifting, and working with resistance bands. Always make sure the individual is under supervision while performing these exercises.
Structured activities refer to those physical activities that have repetition. When performed several times throughout the week, they serve to improve and develop muscles and motor skills. These activities can include lap swimming, team sports, yoga, hand crank biking, and more.
You would be surprised at how many community centers offer activities for individuals in wheelchairs! Many of these communities have wheelchair sports teams for basketball, tennis, and volleyball. Look for other athletic events that can be accomplished by self-propelling in a wheelchair or through other adaptive equipment.
It’s just as important to keep individuals mentally sharp. Here are some activities that may interest your loved one.
Puzzles are a great activity for a variety of reasons. They…
Puzzles are a great way to spend time with your loved ones, all while working together to create a beautiful picture.
For adults with developmental disabilities, music therapy offers some great benefits. Individuals can participate in music-related activities like clapping, foot tapping, and even singalongs. With a skilled music therapist, individuals of all ability levels can engage in activities, including learning to play instruments. Not only can music therapy help with stimulating the senses through rhythm and vibrations, but it can also help improve the individual’s emotional, social, and mental well-being.
Art therapy is a great way to encourage creativity and expression, especially for those who have difficulty communicating in other ways. Looking art can start up conversations, and creating art encourages creativity, imagination, and motor skills. Encourage your loved one to create their own art, whether that’s by drawing, painting, crafting, or sculpting. They may just find creating art to be their new favorite hobby!
Just like with building puzzles, building model cars, trucks, trains, and more is a great way to create something from start to finish. This is also a great exercise in patience, socialization, and teamwork, especially when done in groups. Plus, when the model is built, there is great satisfaction in having put together something from scratch!
Aside from physical and cognitive activities, there are also a variety of sensory, artistic, and even community activities in which your loved one can participate. These activities may vary depending on the individual’s interests and ability levels. Regardless, here are a few ideas for other ways for helping individuals with special needs stay active.
There are many crafting activities for individuals of all ages. Crafting can help individuals with developmental disabilities to express themselves and socialize with others. Try out paint-by-number kits, stringing beads, sculpting with clay, or even making seasonal crafts.
Cooking is a great team activity that teaches patience, social skills, and motor skills. Start with a tour of the kitchen to show where all the equipment is kept. Then introduce your loved one to measuring cups, and walk through easy recipes together. Cook together and move on to more advanced recipes over time. Cooking is fun, inclusive, and involves a great deal of accomplishment once you’re done!
Gardening is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while also teaching individuals valuable skills such as patience, teamwork, and consistency. And what better reward is there than seeing beautiful plants and flowers flourish after a job well done?
If you haven’t already, check your local community calendars to see if there are any special events coming up. These are a great way to get your loved one involved with other community members and participate in fun events. Volunteering is another great way to involve the individual in the community, and there are a lot of organizations that need help! Some examples of volunteering opportunities include…
We hope this short article has given you some ideas for keeping your loved one active, both mentally and physically. Be sure to try lots of different activities to see which ones resonate the most with your loved one. And above all, pick activities that are fun and engaging for everyone! Feel free to check out our other resources and articles here.