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Creative alternatives for continued learning for children with special needs

By Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM – Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health National Director of Family Engagement 

As a mother of a daughter with autism and intellectual disabilities, I understand the importance of individualized school supports and goals to facilitate learning and skill development. My 18-year-old daughter, Annie, has been enrolled in specialized educational programs and services since she was diagnosed in 2004. A key to Annie’s success is the personalized, hands-on attention she receives in her classrooms, which have an approximate one-to-one student-teacher ratio.  

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools have shifted to remote instruction, which can be challenging for individuals, like Annie, who need direct assistance and prompting for optimal learning and skill building. 

Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” This rings especially true right now. Below are a few creative alternatives for continued learning – at home – to help children with special needs develop essential life skills. 

• Hygiene: There has never been a more important time to reinforce healthy hygiene habits than during a pandemic. Help children develop daily routines for brushing their teeth; washing their face; using deodorant; shaving; or brushing their hair.
• Cooking: Teach your child how to make a breakfast (e.g., cereal) or lunch (e.g., sandwiches) with appropriate supervision. Cooking simple foods, like popcorn or scrambled eggs, in the microwave or on the stovetop (if appropriate) can help them learn how to safely follow directions. Note: The Food Network can help youth become familiar with new foods and recipes.
• Cleaning and organizing: No one loves to clean, but it is essential to achieving independence. My daughter has become proficient at vacuuming; washing and folding laundry; loading and unloading the dishwasher; setting the table; and even cleaning her own bathroom – all with a little assistance and a lot of positive reinforcement. Teach your child organizational skills by encouraging them to help you file or shred papers; organize the pantry; make a grocery list; or sort through recycling.
• Gardening and yard work: What better way to teach children about what “farm-to-table” truly means than by letting them grow their own vegetables (e.g., lettuce, tomatoes, basil). Flowers are a good alternative, requiring activities like potting and watering plants. If your child needs to burn off energy, encourage him/her to help you mow the lawn, pull weeds; sweep up grass; and bag leaves.
• Games: Games can help teach youth how to follow directions, take turns and plan strategies. Take the fun outdoors with yard games like bocce ball, basketball and corn hole, and help kids improve their gross motor skills. Note: TV game shows like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire also provide an opportunity for interactive learning.
• Letter writing: Writing letters or sending emails to friends and family is a great way to keep in touch with loved ones, and help children improve their spelling, handwriting/typing and fine motor skills.
• Pets: Children can learn about the responsibilities (e.g., feeding, grooming, training) that come with taking care of an animal, as well how to safely and appropriately pet and handle the animal.
• Virtual tours and community experiences: With social distancing measures in place, many museums, national parks and zoos across the U.S. and around the world are closed, but that doesn’t mean the exploring has to stop. Access a list of virtual field trips you can take from the safety and comfort of your own home. Talk to children about the tours and experiences, and help them make a “wish list” of places they would like to visit. National Geographic’s at-home learning site, Natgeo.com, and The Smithsonian Science Education Center also offer educational resources to inspire family exploration. 

By providing fun and unique continued learning opportunities for your child – at home – you can help him/her develop the skills needed to grow and thrive, and when it comes time to return to the classroom, your child will be positioned for success.  

About Amy Kelly …

Amy Kelly, MBA, MNM, is the mother to Danny, Annie and Ryan. Annie is diagnosed with moderate to severe autism, verbal apraxia, intellectual and developmental disabilities and general anxiety disorder. Amy is the National Director of Family Engagement for Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, one of the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit providers of behavioral healthcare, and serves as a family representative on several special needs boards in the community, locally and nationally. In addition, she participates with other patients and families in efforts supported by the American Board of Pediatrics Foundation and the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network to address children with special needs and the importance of quality care.

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