Give suggestions on theraputic recreational activities for special children?

Question

please give suggestions or links
or sites that offers any information on those

Answer 1

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tractv.htm Has some ideas
What sort of disabilities are you working with? Age range?
Check out any of the TR sites:

http://www.atra-tr.org/
http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=530
nctrc.org

Also, you can adapt a lot of regular lesson plans for kids with disabilities.
Dress Up Hot Potato is fun - pass around a bean bag and when the music stops, the person has to put on an article of really silly clothing (wig, clown shoes, big glasses, giant dress, etc)
I did a Pizza Parlor with a group of middle school kids - split them into small groups, they came up with the name of a restaurant and made a sign with pictures they cut out of food magazines, then made bagle pizzas
Sheet basketball is fun - big sheet with holes, each with a colored ring drawn around it, kid throws a small ball into a hole and whatever color he gets, he picks a corresponding color card with a task on it (set the clock to 10:00, lead the class in jumping jacks, sing a silly song, etc)

I'm a TR grad student and am actually sitting here writing a 30-page paper on part of the NCTRC exam outline. I'd love to be planning an activity! Have fun!

Answer 2

Horseback riding (hippotherapy) is very relaxing for many people and adaptations can be made.

Swimming- most local ymca or sports complex do have staff trained in working with people with special needs.

Adapted bowling

Honestly, most kids with special needs can be really difficult to take to most common activities. I've done many field trips to restaurants, movie theaters, clothing stores (dressing room is a great place to teach dressing skills), hay rides, apple picking at an orchard, grocery store to purchase items to make a special lunch or treat.

Some grocery stores have field trips. You can call and ask them to show you around...they let the kids scan the food, pack the bag, etc.

I hope some of these suggestions help.

Answer 3

I teach special ed and one of the best things I ever did was rent a bunch of canoes and go for a paddle trip on a local river. Two years later I still have kids telling me that was one of the best days of their lives. It was not only fun, but educational and really helped with teamwork and bonding.

Answer 4

special children love horses and dogs. It is very nice when they can pet a dog ,hold and ride horses. They feel very happy about it and improve their balance . Try some kind of therapy with animals. I don't know where you live but if it's warm any kind of contact with water: ocean or river, lake whatever it's very good too. Good luck!!! And don't forget special children need SPECIAL LOVE!!!

Answer 5

I have been working with special adults for a few years. Music stores is a good place for activities (sam ash). Most public places is what they enjoy most. The beach and/ or mountains.Anything that keeps them engaged.