Home Activities
At home, special needs individuals can work with sibling(s) or volunteer(s) in person or online. Here are some examples of activities shared by a True Love sibling volunteer:
Scavenger hunts: Sibling(s) or volunteer(s) can make a list with pictures of items to find and then take turns finding the items around the house. Benefits include developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Scavenger hunts can also help people learn to sequence, organize, and work together as a team.
Learning a new instrument: This can provide repetitiveness and a sense of rhythm that can be calming and meditative for the nervous system.
Dance party: Dancing can be a great way for special needs individuals to stay active and have fun; it can also be a form of communication for people with limited speech. There are many resources online such as Just Dance YouTube videos.
Reading: Reading can keep the brain engaged, improve memory and sleep, reduce stress, and delay cognitive decline. Many schools provide free audiobooks and digital books, and the library offers even more free choices.
Gardening: Gardening can help individuals with special needs feel like they’re contributing to a personal project while providing healthy meals.