Activities ideas for Mentally and physically disabled indivduals?

Question

Hello people I'm doing college placemen at a day centre for mentally and physically disabled adults (18-up). I have been instructed to form a mens group as mostof the workers are women and the men need a male role model. I would like to introduce some interesting activities for these men that are productive and will hold their interest. The activites have to be situated within the confines of the building we work in (not outdoor excursions). All ideas would be appreciated!

The Physcial disabilities are varied, spinal bifida, partial blindness, assistance with walking etc. The men in my group are relativley high functioning mentally one has down syndrome not too sure of the others as Im new in the field and feel its inappropriate for me to ask. I guess as I get more experience I will be more comfortable in that department.

Answer 1

Since this in a special needs context--asking is okay. Or get toghether with a supervisor and go over the client files if need be.

You have a difficult task--that is a group that is really more diverse than it should be to try to have activities that are interesting to everyone. My suggestion--ask the men what they are interested in. From experience, I can tell you that more often than not, when the rehabilitation workers take it upon themselves to decide on such activities, they manage to bore the h**l out of people! In addition--you should take every opportunity to encourage them to take responsibiity for their own activities and decisions. Try to avoid making decisions--even minor ones like thi--FOR them--that is always a bad idea. Building independance isn't a matter of counsellling. Its a habit-a way of thinking--that is built, one step at a time--out of the thousand little decisions and choices we face everyday.

If you do have to fall back on suggesting or decidig on activities, make them challenging--not just activities that fill up time.

Answer 2

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awFsh

The first thing you need to do is to train yourself NOT to use the phrase "mentally & physically retarded people". Use the term "PEOPLE with physical/ intellectual disability" Put the "people" FIRST. That will be the BEST thing you can start doing because using that type of language will enhance their dignity as a person and will make them feel respected as a human being. The second thing to do is NOT to do activities that demeans them - like kiddies stuff. If they are adults... do fun but ADULTS age appropriate activities. Interact with people with disabilities the same way you would interact with anyone. You talk to them, look at them and show them the dignity and respect as another human being. This is especially more so with people with physical disability. They may be disabled, but don't think that their brain is "retarded". Imagine this: if YOU were to lose both your legs tomorrow to a car accident but that is the only thing wrong with you. would you stop being you? Of course not. How would you feel if someone come over and talk to you as if you were dumb? Anyway, I think you're intelligent enough to get my point. No offense intended and I'm not talking down to you. No "attitude" implied. Just giving you some advice from someone who knows. Cheers from Australia

Answer 3

Simple woodworking tasks...like little do-it-yourself birdhouses and stuff. Painting, glueing, nailing...my high school multiply impaired students really like those kinds of things....remember, it's not the finished product, but the process and the social interaction of the task. Let them do as much as they can by themselves.....have them work in pairs based......put a smart guy with a weak left arm with a strong guy who needs someone to direct him.......have the directions posted in photo form on a poster...have them keep checking the directions.....a small birdhouse kit could take weeks.....it's about the PROCESS!!! If each pair worked on one guy's then the other guys they'd both have one to take home at the end. Also, cooking....you can't go wrong there...food is a BIG hit.....even if you don't have much of a kitchen, fruit salad....lots of cutting, sorting.............individual pizzas, etc. Have fun!!!

Answer 4

The activities that you plan will depend on the cognitive/physical abilities of the men in your group. Many of the men that I work with enjoy playing dominoes, checkers, etc. You should plan on using very simple games. Some of my men love to do crafts-making flower pots out of cans or painting. You could also establish a can recycling center in your building. Place plastic trash cans around the building with signs designating them as recycling bins for cans only. Buy a can crusher (fairly inexpensive) and the men can crush the cans before you take them to the recycling center-some places will buy your cans. The money could then be used to purchase supplies for the activity group.

Answer 5

Well, it would help to know what kind of handicaps these people have. I mean, if they are physically handicap as in paralyzed, then some activities would be out of the question. But if everyone seems pretty functional, I would suggest drawing or painting. That's fun and simple.