Tuesday, May 12, 2020

17 Fun Things to do with a Special Needs Child

Fun Home Activities For Severely Impaired Children



Severely impaired children born with cognitive and physical disabilities more challenges from day one. Their circumstances and experience are often difficult for others to understand, it is imperative to connect with these children and have fun with it.



Amid the current lockdown due to COVID-19, it might be somewhat difficult for parents to manage interesting experiences.

The key is to loosen up and add some color and fun.  

Here are some things to do at home with your child to keep them engaged:


Play with them with objects that teach basic cause and effect, ipad apps that make music or have visual effects if the screen is touched. Put the ipad near a part of the child they are able to move.

Cook with them and let them touch the batter or give them tastes of what you are making. Talk with them, tell them what you’re doing.

Play peek-a-boo, put a cloth over their face and help them to remove it or if possible let them remove it and make a big deal out of it.

Put up Christmas lights above their bed for them to see.

Take them out for massaging therapy sessions and help them to relax.

Introduce them to new technologies and toys of different shapes and colors.

Take them for a walk outside. Sit at a playground and watch the kids, if you can this is sometimes difficult for parents. Remember the child's disability is normal for them and they are happy with themselves.  Watching other kids play is usually lots of fun for severely impaired kids, they don't think about what they can't do, they get caught up in the fun. 


Watch a movie together and talk.

Read books.

Look at pictures in magazines, books or family photos and talk about the pictures.

Personal care activities like hair-dressing games, paint finger and toe nails, facials, massage therapies,and different sensory stimulation activities for the hands and feet to make them feel happy and vibrant. If possible do these activities in front of a mirror so the child can get visual feedback.

Include a few outdoor activities for them like watering plants, gardening, and washing the car put their hands and feet in the dirt and the water.  If they can't move their hands and feet move them around for them.  If it upsets them stop, you may need to find sensory experiences that are not upsetting.  Kids with severe impairments often have difficulty processing sensations, some sensations may be very aversive to them.

Play the child’s favorite song or music to encourage them to groove and relax.

Engage them in art and craft activities, paint their hands and help them make a hand print on paper or just move finger paints around with their hands.

Play with water toys.

Make a rotating sensory tray for the children to help them identify new objects.  Collect a variety of objects with different textures help your child to play with them or lay the child on the floor and put the textures in a spot they can interact with them.

Play music and dance with them
. If they’re small enough hold the child while you dance, if the person is older, then dance with them in the wheelchair.  Good fun for the whole family.:-)








Children who are severely impaired due to various conditions like quadriplegia, Rett Syndrome are kids who want to interact and play.  It is most important to make way for some fun and frolic.  Seeing these kids laugh and smile brings out happiness for everyone.




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Source links:
https://cerebralpalsynewstoday.com/2017/05/23/cerebral-palsy-activities-for-you-and-your-preschooler/https://therapiesforkids.com.au/retts-syndrome/https://www.rettsyndrome.org/home-participation-resource-for-rett-syndrome/http://www.metrokids.com/MetroKids/January-2010/For-Children-with-Special-Needs-Activites-Build-Skills-and-Self-Esteem/https://www.verywellfamily.com/extracurricular-activities-for-kids-with-special-needs-4143299https://www.flintrehab.com/2019/fun-things-to-do-with-a-quadriplegic/

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