I began this blog thinking I would put some information out there about how to create friendships during this time. I think friendship both platonic and not is extremely important for healthy development and support for all. However, after I began thinking and researching I realized there are MANY more relationships than just friendship to be concerned about during this time!
The first one I thought of was parents and teachers/school personal. In addition, the students relationship with their parents and school personal. This is huge because these are supporters and encourages of their education and/or new endeavors they are embarking upon. Also, relationships are very important when it comes to friends and even romantic interests. Individuals with disabilities, especially at this time in their life, want to feel as independent as possible and have their needs fulfilled too. Almost anyone will say they have a great time socializing, going out with friends, and especially when they have someone to love and someone to love them. It is important to provide outlets in which these individuals are able to seek these types of relationships out and have opportunities to meet new people.
Most importantly, however; these relationships need to be safe, healthy, and be life giving to these individuals. Providing social activities (as discussed in earlier blogs) are key to socializing for these individuals. In addition, work can provide these relationships, church, support system such as counseling centers, and much more!
Finally, relationship among family members such as siblings are vital to the success of a fulfilling life and positive transition. Siblings, cousins, and other members of the family provide a kind of support that often goes further than a friendship can. A families approval and help can touch a heart and can understand the person more than many. Encourage these relationships and the positive ones should be treasured for a lifetime.
Resources:
http://www.brooklondon.org/youngdisabledpeople/relationships_intro.html
- This is a great resource to provide to an individual with disabilities dealing with a large transition in their life. It is a website geared at the viewpoints of young disabled individuals and their opinions on relationships with a little information added about safety, recommendations, etc.
http://www.fodac.org/
- Friends of Disabled Adults and Children is an amazing organization based out of Georgia that provides a wealth of resources to these individuals, and truly care about their well-being and independence! They have events held in addition that provide even more opportunity to network and create healthy relationships. They are statewide and nationwide as well providing home health care equipment which benefits greatly.
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Outreach/seehear/archive/twelve.html
- I love this article! It is such a great little beginner tool for parents who have children with disabilities to have, I would love to see this created into a brochure. "Twelve Things you can do to Plan for Your Child's Future Today" by Kate Moss provides great information about creating these relationships early and it begins with the parents! She also gives a lot of other helpful information in other areas of transition that will come up.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Recreation and Leisure Activities: A Key to a Healthy Transition
Recreation and leisure activities have always been important to a healthy lifestyle for anyone. I know during my childhood there were activities after school such as Spanish Club in elementary, and Tennis in High School, even Band in Middle School. In addition, during the summer I always had some sort of summer camp for sports, religion, even outdoor adventure camps. This may sound familiar to a lot of readers, that is because being active is a key to both social and physical health! Not only do activities like this help socialize outside of class (VERY important), but also help keep your body in the best shape it can be. But what happens after school and you do not have free (because of parents or schools paying) access to these activities? Or even notice of events occurring? Research, connections, and knowledge begin to play a part in keeping up with this part of you life.
During the transition out of school, or even a different school requires a lot of work for all. You must locate events, sign up for activities, meet people in the same organization, just simply make new connections. This can be even more challenging when you are not an outgoing person, or have disabilities you must consider in addition. These disabilities may or may not prevent participation in specific activities, but never-the-less may present an obstacle in pursuing these activities. Because of these challenges and rewards for participating to an individuals quality of life I have included a few resources in locating these recreation and leisure activities when you leave school.
Resources
- This is a great information package about helping individuals with disabilities find recreation and leisure activities they can both be included into and enjoy! They include finding activities that fit each specific individual, locating community resources to get involved, and then further follow up with support for the them as they embark upon their new activity!
- I love this website! Not only do they provide information on recreation and leisure, and facts to back up the importance but also MULTIPLE different major topics in the field specifically designed to be geared towards parents of individuals with disabilities. They even offer a forum for discussion, facts, library, resources, news, and legal issues! Purchase a membership and bookmark, you won't regret it!
- This website, very similar to the one above, is geared towards teachers in the field of Special Education. This is the National Association of Special Education Teachers helping them be exceptional educators in every way by providing resources and information about multiple issues.
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