For people with disabilities, especially children, community support is important. Community integration can have many benefits, from improved social skills to increased independence. If you’re looking to help your child with disabilities make progress, you may want to seek community integration programs. These might include therapeutic preschool, adolescent employment services and more.
Your child is not alone on their journey. According to UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, 1 in 10 children worldwide have disabilities. Building communities and community integration for these children can help support their growth and development. As a parent, you may play a crucial role in fostering community integration. You can encourage your child to engage in their surroundings and the people around them. You can also find specialized programs and other great opportunities for community support. Read on to learn more about the ways you can help your child with community integration. This information can enable you to take an even more active role in their growth.
Ways to promote community integration for children with disabilities
- Inclusive sports — Sports can help your child find community while building essential skills. Sports often help participants improve their coordination, strength and overall physical capabilities. If you think your child may benefit from playing a sport, you can look for adaptive sports programs in your area. These programs typically focus on making sports fun and accessible for all kids. They may provide specialized equipment and support based on each child’s needs. With an adaptive sports program, your child can build social connections and a sense of community as they play alongside their peers.
- Community classes — Encouraging your child to explore their interests can be a good way to foster community engagement. If your child is interested in practicing arts or crafts, finding relevant classes may be helpful. Arts and crafts classes for children are often open to anyone in the community. In some cases, you may need to sign up ahead of time. An art class can provide your child with a space to express themselves and meet peers with the same interests. For the best experience, you may want to look for classes that are sensory friendly.
- Library programs — Public libraries can be a great resource for children of all ages. Your local library may host a range of activities and community events each month. You can look into libraries near you to find out what’s available in your area. Common kid-focused activities include story times, reading clubs and crafting activities. Library activities can help your child improve their literacy skills. These activities can also offer immersion into your local community. Are you looking for a relaxed, welcoming environment for community integration? A library can be an excellent option.
- Inclusive playgrounds
- Sensory Friendly Time At Local Attractions
- Researching accessibility accommodations at local places
- Are they wheelchair accessible?
- Checking a map to see how close parking may be to the doors/event
Key benefits of community integration
Joining community activities tends to have a big impact on children with disabilities. It can make a lasting, positive difference in their lives. This impact may be reflected in a variety of ways. Some key benefits of community integration include:
- Enhanced social skills — Community activities help children build social skills in real-life settings. These skills are important for making friends, solving problems and handling social situations. Therapy and other treatments can help your child learn these skills faster.
- Improved emotional well-being — Loneliness can have a big impact on your child’s mental and emotional wellness. Community integration can help prevent loneliness and improve your child’s mood. Belonging to a community may help your child feel more happy, confident and motivated.
- Cognitive development — Community integration tends to provide children with plenty of learning experiences. Activities like crafting and participating in reading groups can be highly stimulating. By encouraging your child to engage in these activities, you can help promote their cognitive development. It’s OK if one particular activity doesn’t seem like a great fit for your child. You can continue searching for more opportunities. Exposure to a range of situations and communities may help foster adaptability. Diverse settings can teach your child how to respond to different situations in different ways.
Discover community integration opportunities with Ability KC
At Ability KC, we’re dedicated to helping people of all ages feel fulfilled and connected. Our programs focus on therapy and learning goals to support community involvement. We offer comprehensive programs, including pediatric rehabilitation services and our therapeutic preschool. We also have specialized treatment options for teens. With our help, your family can benefit from care tailored to the needs of your child.
In our preschool, we host monthly family events to create a community within our families. We also share a monthly newsletter with local activities that families can consider in their community integration efforts. Our model itself is a form of community integration with our developmentally at-age peers in the same classroom all day as those who have a diagnosis or disability.
Ability KC is a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). We also hold a Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.