Lifelong learning activities for individuals with special needs

QUESTION: I have a 26-year-old sister with special needs. She had meningitis when she was just a year old. Despite that, she was able to finish college. However, she now stays at home. While she can understand and follow instructions, she is very clumsy. I would like to know what other activities she can do to keep her busy and productive. – Majo

Teacher Tess Says: Adults with special needs are confronted with many challenges. There are individuals who are able to work and become self sufficient, but others need the help of their families in order to cope with their daily life skills. There is an array of activities where adults with special needs can socialize, express their thoughts and feelings, and be active members of the community. For them to accomplish or enjoy an activity, it should be based on their individual interests, skills, physical ability, and socialization skills. 

Keefer Amber discussed on www.livestrong.com [1], the following activities that are beneficial to adults with special needs. 

Art Therapy. Adults with developmental disabilities often respond well to art therapy. Art provides a way for individuals to express themselves, especially when they are unable to write down their thoughts and feelings or communicate them verbally. Art also encourages individuals to develop their creativity and can be used to entertain adults of all ages. Watercolors, canvas or fabric painting, educational coloring books for adults, scrap booking or making jewelry from beads are just some of the art activities that developmentally disabled adults enjoy.

Music Therapy. Music is another helpful tool for adults with developmental disabilities, as most individuals respond favorably to music. Some people even become more social during musical activities. These can be as simple as having everyone clap their hands and tap their feet to the music or participating in sing-a-longs. Playing percussion instruments is another popular music activity that allows individuals to feel the rhythm and vibrations these instruments create. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music stimulates the senses, and therefore, can help to improve an individual's mental, social and emotional well being.

Physical Activity. Exercise and physical activity help adults with developmental disabilities to reach their potential, both physically and mentally. Indoor or outdoor activities should take place within a normal environment. Among these are swimming, dance and other aerobic activities. Visual and tactile techniques can be helpful when giving individuals instructions on how to do something they've never done before. Facilitators should use the same rules and strategies they would for a person without a developmental disability whenever they can. Allow developmentally disabled individuals to perform physical activities as independently as possible. You should offer support and assistance when needed, but allow them plenty of opportunities for personal growth.

Nature Activities. People of all ages tend to enjoy nature activities. Nature walks give individuals the opportunity to be out in the open air while learning more about the world around them. Scavenger hunts encourage individuals to find and identify things in nature. Summer camps offer a range of services from therapeutic horseback riding to vocational courses. Outdoor recreational activities for the developmentally disabled include swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, exploring nature and participating in outdoor team sports. These kinds of leisure activities offer a way to socialize outside the home. For many, being part of a group is not only emotionally satisfying, but it also allows them to share a part of themselves with others.

TRANSITION PLANNING 

To enable an adult with special needs to become a productive member of the community, he or she can avail of services like supported employment, sheltered workshops or adult training facilities like the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education and parishes. If you live in Pasay City, go to Pasay SPED Center (check with other public schools too), and inquire if they can accommodate your sister in the ALS program. There are activities which she may participate in and will make her occupied and achieve something she can be proud of. ALS fosters and allows participants to explore vocational interests and to develop or enhance work readiness skills. 

Find out if there is a “circle of friends” in your neighborhood. This association promotes holistic friendships, kinships as well as organizes varied events such as recreational activities, community affairs, religious activities, cultural and advocacy events. It campaigns for equal opportunity among special people to participate actively in the affairs of the community. If there is none, your family and your friends can organize your own circle of friends for special people. The activities mentioned above can be your group’s initial program of events. A person-centered planning approach is a best practice. It places the individual with special needs or their family in a leadership role during transition planning and service delivery. The ultimate goal of person-centered planning is to create support and opportunities that enable a person with special needs to experience a self-directed life. 

Read more about circle of friends from Community Education (http://commed.spps.org/awd_ccc.html [2]). It seeks to improve the quality of life by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of the community, including adults with disabilities. For the love of your sister, let advocacy for adults with special needs begin with you and your family and friends. God bless!