In a small dance studio located in Geauga County, I attended an exercise class. The inclusive class was envisioned and coordinated by NPower (npowerservices.com) founder Lori Weber, a mom with an adult daughter who has autism.
The class was facilitated by a CrossFit professional. The room was filled with energy, laughter and people of all abilities simply giving it their best in that moment. Caregivers supported and encouraged people challenged with their mobility, and we all rooted for every single person in the room to give their best effort.
All abilities can be successful and find personal growth when given the opportunity. Just as importantly, the road to wellness can have more than one lane — one for a person with special needs and another for the caregiver. Being a role model in our own health and wellness is one way in which we can also support those with special needs to stay on a path to good health.
Individuals with special needs may face more specific health challenges, but the prescription for taking care of emotional and physical health is similar as it would be for most of us.
Where to Start?
Help them get connected and involved. There are a variety of groups throughout the area that provide health and wellness programming for those with special needs, from the YMCA and local park systems, libraries and arts centers to county boards of disabilities and individual organizations like NPower Services. Each of these organizations offer programming (many times for free or reduced fees) that provides both specialized programs for those with disabilities and/or inclusive programs that can engage the whole family. The benefits of belonging to a group and participating result in positive mental and physical benefits.
Find activities for the homebound. Many programs are still offered online, from Zoom to live-streamed events. Many organizations continue to connect with those at home, offering exercise classes, music programs and more.
Reduce screen time. As caregivers, sometimes screen time saves us. We need a few minutes to take care of something and/or simply rest. Plus, a little screen time is okay. However, significant screen time has shown to have an adverse effect on both physical and emotional health.
Seek simple activities as an alternative to screen time.
• Depending on the skills of the individual, simple (no-mess) arts and crafts can provide engagement and even strengthen fine motor skills. Many art suppliers carry adapted art supplies (for example, check out Blick Art Supplies, dickblick.com)
• Music has been shown to have a significant positive impact on mood and overall well-being. When using music with an individual with special needs, be mindful of volume and explore various genres, using classical music or jazz to soothe and comfort or familiar music to engage and provide opportunities for singing along, which can also promote verbal skills.
• Engage in other visual stimulation, such as books. Books offer opportunities to look at breathtaking photographs (wildlife, places, buildings…you name it!) and can engage an individual in meaningful ways. Are you supporting a person who may not be able to turn the page? A slide show can provide similar engagement and though it may use a screen, it provides a different stimulus than streaming shows.
• Get outside. Fresh air and sunshine not only provide enjoyment, studies have documented their ability to fight depression. Also, a bird feeder outside the home window may provide additional stimulation and engagement.
It’s important to recognize that even with participation and connection, sometimes people with disabilities may struggle with sadness and depression. Changes in appetite, behavior, engagement and sleep patterns may be signs of depression. Documenting and communicating these changes to a healthcare professional is the first and best step in seeking additional solutions and support.
Like all journeys, the map to health and wellness is full of turns and bumps in the road, but it is an adventure worth pursuing, one day at a time.
Jeannie Fleming-Gifford, MA Family & Consumer Sciences, is a mom, blogger (“Simplicity Soup” at Northeast Ohio Parent), non-profit executive, arts advocate, writer, coffee consumer and wannabe adventurer.
