The great news for parents and caregivers is that more programs are taking steps to accommodate those with special needs and provide more welcoming environments for them and their families. Everyone, including those without disabilities, is enjoying the benefits of inclusion!
Inclusion is the Law
It is not just the right thing to do – inclusion is actually a legal requirement in the United States. Federal law does not allow programs to discriminate against those with disabilities, though it can still be challenging to find programs that are a good fit for an individual’s particular needs, interests and abilities. In such cases, it’s a good idea for parents and caregivers to look to their local disability services agency for help securing disability-related accommodations and other supports that will enable full inclusion.
Engagement Helps Build Interpersonal Skills
Many individuals with autism struggle with the social skills necessary to build friendships and broaden their social circle beyond immediate family. At Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC), we find that children and adults benefit from group-oriented social-recreation programs that encourage interpersonal engagement with peers.
However, one size does not fit all. Some individuals will thrive with team sports, like basketball or field hockey, while others could find that intense action stressful, and may instead thrive in smaller groups or more low-key group environments, such as a computer coding camp or art classes.
Social and Recreation Programs Help Build Confidence
Often, individuals with impairments like cerebral palsy encounter well-meaning, but misguided, attempts to shield them from the risks that come with participation in sports and other physical activities. Of course, sensible precautions should be taken to minimize risk, but it’s important not to place undue limitations on individuals who, when given opportunity, may far exceed even our highest expectations for what they can achieve.
We see this often with children. A child with sensory issues may at first be averse to water which can make it unsafe for them to be around swimming pools and lakes. But when they get involved in a swimming class with an encouraging and supportive instructor and other children with whom they can have fun swimming, their confidence can grow, and they may eventually become desensitized to something that previously triggered fear.
Other Benefits of Social Recreation
Physical social-recreation activities like swimming, karate and dance can also enhance strength and fitness, which have a cascade of positive benefits for an individual’s overall well-being and quality of life.
I also know of parents who find that children they describe as “picky eaters” have become more open to trying new foods after being enrolled in physically-active social recreational activities. Some say that’s due to an increased appetite from the exercise, but it may also be better overall health they’re enjoying as many of these individuals also report better sleep quality when they’re physically active.
Adaptive Programs Can Also ben a Good Option
We typically encourage families to make fully-inclusive settings a priority. This enables their children and adult family members with special needs to interact with typical peers, which we believe is healthy for them and also helps to foster acceptance and appreciation for those with disabilities among the broader community. In addition, new federal rules require that programs receiving federal funds be inclusive, so many adaptive programs in the U.S. cannot be funded by local disability services agencies. Nonetheless, it’s important to recognize that programs specifically geared for those with disabilities can also be extremely valuable and enriching.
I think, for example, of Amy Jessee, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Amy has always had a loving and supportive family that encouraged her involvement in activities like wheelchair tennis and a bowling league in which she and her teammates referred to themselves as the “Ramp Rascals,” because they all used wheelchairs.
Amy looks forward to participating in a camp, each year, exclusively serving people with disabilities, which offers youth and adult programs where each camper is paired one-to-one with a dedicated counselor. There is always a medical staff on-site, so even those with complex medical needs can participate. She could not be more enthusiastic about the opportunities this camp provides for those with even severe disabilities, to engage in activities they might never have thought were within reach for them.
It’s clear that social and recreational activities greatly improve overall health and self-esteem and help weave stronger and more engaged communities.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in July 2024.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Montanez, M.S., is Director of Case Management for Regional Center of Orange County, the private, nonprofit organization contracted by the State of California to coordinate lifelong services and supports for more than 26,000 Orange County residents with developmental disabilities and their families. The Regional Center is the first stop for those seeking to obtain local services and supports to help them live safely and with dignity in the community. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Learn more at www.rcocdd.com.
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