Recreation and Play
by Laura Sussely-Pope
The "R" word. Well, that's progress. At least we are calling it the "R" word, suggesting the entire word should not be spoken aloud. Retard. Retarded. As in, "I'm so retarded." "What a retard." Bantered about without much forethought--by most. It hurts those of us who have children who are, in fact, mentally retarded.
The first time I worried about this word was nine years ago when my son was born and was in the NICU. As I sat, numb, listening to the geneticist explaining his Down syndrome diagnosis, I interrupted and cried, "I just don't want anyone calling him a retard."
Special Recreation is About Fun! Thoughts from an Adapted Recreation Coordinator
Recreation should
be an important part of everyone's lives, if for no other reason than
it's fun. You can learn a new skill, meet new people, and laugh. All
of these things are important in today's busy lifestyles and I feel
it's often even more important in the lives of people with
disabilities. These families often have so much more going on. Maybe
it is a fight with the school district to accommodate a child, more
appointments than any one should have to keep track of, or maybe it is
the ice left at the bottom of the ramp at the only entrance into the
City Recreation Center. Where is the fun? Where can you meet people
in real life who "get it?"
Inexpensive and Easily Available Toys That Work for Children with Special Needs
In an attempt to find some alternatives, I asked a group of moms what off-the-shelf toys worked well for their children, who have a wide range of disabilities, including physical, behavioral, developmental, and sensory disabilities. I've included a variety of their favorites in this article.
It breaks my heart every time I see a child in a wheelchair sitting on the side of a playground wanting to participate but unable to do so because the playground is not accessible. After all, almost all children love to swing and play, and we should make equal access to play a priority for our kids.
Fractures. Constipation. Hips out of their sockets. Tight hamstrings. Orthopedic surgery. Casts and uncomfortable braces. Isolation in a wheelchair.
These are just a few common problems that plague children with cerebral palsy and other disorders that prevent or restrict independent ambulation. But what if you could prevent or possibly improve some of these problems in as little as 30 minutes a day?
It may sound too good to be true, but it really is not. Almost all of the above-listed problems can be improved and sometimes prevented by a very simple daily intervention: standing or bearing weight on the legs in a standing frame.
Medical alert tags have come a long way since they first became available, and were typically clunky metal bracelets with just one condition engraved on them. They are now available in a multitude of fashionable styles, can be custom engraved, and are available with 24-hour emergency response.
If your child only has one or two medical problems, a simple band may be appropriate. But if your child is more complex, it is usually best to choose a custom option that is linked to a data information source, such as a wearable Flash drive or an emergency response system.