The Benefits of Excercise for Special Needs Children

In this blog we look at the pivotal role of exercise when it comes to special needs children. Exercise is a catalyst for their growth, happiness, development and more regardless of their disabilities.

The Benefits of Exercise for Children

1.      Better Physical Fitness

2.      Manages weight control

3.      Improved bone density

4.      Better motor skills

5.      Better cognitive health

6.      Improved physiological and emotional health

7.      Improved self esteem

8.      Reduced risk of diseases

9.      Improved muscle strength and lung capacity

10.   Improved relationships and social skills

11.   Enhanced mental health

12.   Better self-esteem and well being

13.   Better sleep and behavior

By participating in team sports children have the abilities to develop a capacity for self control, improving their interpersonal skills, building self confidence as well as negotiation and team skills.

The Benefits of exercise for children with disabilities

Research has shown that partaking in exercise and sports does not only help to develop physical fitness, self-esteem and social confidence but also helps to reduce maladaptive behavior which is behavior that interferes with a childs ability to participate in particular settings, adapt to difficult or new circumstances or their ability to perform simply daily living activities.

Another study into this area has concluded that children with intellectual disabilities have managed to improve performance of motor tasks including improved muscle tone and strength as well as coordination of the limbs as well as spatial orientation and movement control.

Other benefits of encouraging special needs children to participate in physical activity are better endurance and balance, concentration skills as well as improved social skills. This helps to show the child that they are capable and helps them overcome their fears and physical limitations. Further regular physical activity helps daily living skills and gives them greater independence.

Physical activities and adaptive sports for children with disabilities

The best thing to do here is to consult your child’s specialist as they are best prepared to guide you as to which sports can be played safely and which ones should be avoided. Physical, neurological and cognitive differences effect the different types of physical activity that a child can participate in.

As such swimming is great for children with chronic pain, handball is better for hand eye coordination while soccer helps with teamwork and cardiovascular fitness. Other activities like yoga and working with resistance bands can provide health benefits as well.

Children who use wheelchairs can participate in tennis, basketball, boccia, shot put, horse back riding and weightlifting. Swimming can help by being both a sensory and physical experience. Lets not forget about all the wheelchair sports opportunities out there.

Encouraging physical activity for differently-abled children

Parents of special needs children may be concerned of allowing their children to participate in sports because of a fear that they might not be accepted or due to the fear of injury. This is only natural. Rather than discouraging children with special needs from participating in physical activities and not giving them the chance to engage with peers as well as enjoy their successes like mastering a new skill we should try to find an activity that they personally enjoy most to help them discover their strengths. Not only will this boost self-esteem and confidence it will improve their quality of life.

Obstacles to physical activity kids with disabilities may face

Quite often physical activity is at the bottom of the list of things to do for special needs children and this could happen because doctors and parents have not considered its benefits or because of the chances of injury that could occur. A couple of the obstacles are listed below

1.      Mental or physical limitations

2.      High Costs

3.      Poor Self-esteem

4.      Lack of programs or accessible facilities

5.      Lack of access to those skilled with sports for children with disabilities

6.      Negative stereo types or bullying.

In conclusion we can not under value the importance of exercise for special needs children. It can be a transformative power helping the children improve their physical and cognitive abilities as well as emotional well being giving them a brighter future.