Recreational Activities for Children With Disabilities

Recreational activities for children with disabilities is one the most valuable experiences you can share with them. Because they may not be able to communicate their specific wishes for types of recreational activities they would like, it is important to try many different types and see how they respond. The following article details several types of recreational activities for children with disabilities and offers expert insight on the matter.

Family Activities

Often, children with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities may need a greater emphasis on recreational activities that involve the family. This is to promote the psychosocial foundation for a healthy environment, regardless of disabilities. Try making everyday tasks like food-shopping or dog-walking into a family affair. The response can be overwhelmingly positive.

Aquatic

For some reason, aqua therapy has vast success in a variety of groups including children with disabilities. Of course it exercises your body, and people with all types of disabilities can do some form of aqua therapy. But there is a special quality to aqua therapy that brings out emotional and physical growth—it is also suitable for children with a wide variety of disabilities.

Animal Appreciation

Animals have a sixth sense. Perhaps it is that sense that makes them especially adept at communicating trust to people. Recreational activities that involve animals such as riding horses, a visit to a petting farm or zoo, and even grooming household animals can have a significantly positive result on children with disabilities.

Art Exploration

Despite one’s disability, everyone has some way to experience art and create it. Whether it is painting, music or writing, the freedom of expression makes for a memorable recreational activity for children with disabilities. Review what limitations a child may have and find a venue of art that will not be hindered by it.

Expert Insight

Most experts agree that regular recreational activities for children with disabilities are a crucial component of their growth and development. Although these types of activities can be challenging to accomplish, the reward is certainly worth the effort.
“Disabled children are equally entitled to an exciting and brilliant future. We must see to it that we remove the obstacles…whether they stem from poor access to facilities; poor education; lack of transport; lack of funding; or unavailability of equipment such as children’s wheelchairs. Only then will the rights of the disabled to equal opportunities become a reality. ” These were Nelson Mandela’s opening remarks at the first annual South African Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp in Johannesburg, in December 1995.