Working with disabled students?

Question

I just got hired (yahoo!) to work for a local special recreations program. The program is designed for students who are disabled in some way to become productive members of the community through learning basic life skills. I do not know what types of disabilities my students have, but will be assisting with planning and executing activities for the students.

So my question is if anyone has suggestions for their favorite activities that they have used in this situation. If you can also give me some ideas on activities that are NOT good for specific conditions (autism for example), please feel free to let me know about this too.

Thanks!

I forgot to mention that the students I'll be working with are 5-12 years old.

Answer 1

Firstly congratulations. You might consult with the Special Olympics and Paralympian programs and equine therapy programs to see if they might be able to help you plan activities. Bowling is good, teaches them to take turns, work in teams , learn social skills .

You might also try simple cooking classes, nothing fancy, like preparing sandwhiches or making pizzas ,baking cookies , make sure there are no peanut or nut allergies or allergies to wheat first. Lots of kids cooking cookbooks around.

Maybe help tutor them with their homework or bring in authors to read books that will appeal to their imaginations and creative sides. You can also bring local artists in who know how to work with disabled students to teach them how to draw, paint , sculpt.

Have musicians come in and bring their instruments and play for the children and sing . Or even dancers, not just hip hop but ballets. Your local dance schools and music lessons schools would probably love to bring people in to talk about their instruments.

Maybe even bring actors in from local drama clubs and teach them about acting and public speaking.

How about some computer people who know about the various accessiblity devices available for disabled people to come in and show the kids , contact your local National Association for the Bind or Board of Ed Special Ed Department.

Just a few ideas , hope they helped.

Answer 2

congrats its great work i do it as well in a school. There is not one answer you have to feel out ur kids and the other staff should know. Board games are good though sometimes have to be simplified video games cooking food prep ( just check for allegies ) bingo cards uno is a good one reading them stories rolew playing out work situations teaching social skills how to converse etc, angr management. Physical sports can be issue if ur population is not able to self contol to avoid injury. kickball would be good option also make sure that ur kids won't have seizures sometimes they take meds that make them light sensitive. They should have records u can read that will describe likes dislikes Also when ur learn issues u can repost and ask what can i do with a kid who is _____.

feel free to contact enjoy it

Answer 3

One thing that most kids like is playing games like ball and depending on the disability You haven't really given us a lot of information are they learning disabled, physically disabled? developmentally disabled? You should at least know that. That would give you an idea of what you're dealing with and how to plan for them. Because of my physical disability when I was a child I liked to play board games and cards. I liked to swim because that was something that I could do like the other kids. My girlfriend who as deaf preferred to do things that wouldn't require her to have to hear like jump rope. catch, reading or watching TV ( she could read lips). You really have more information than you have now to make a definite decision.

Answer 4

Your question is premature. Until you know what types of disabilities they have the answers we give could be totally useless.

Answer 5

didn't you go to school for this? --just curious --congrats onyour job