Children with special needs

If your child has a disability, he or she is more likely to be less active and therefore at greater risk of developing a secondary condition, such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. But many of these conditions can be reduced or prevented with regular exercise.

Improving the fitness level of your child will give him/her an enhanced sense of control over his fate. Physical activity can allow your child to focus on his/her abilities, not the disability; give him more energy and strength to do things on his/her own and achieve more in life.

Therefore it is very important to find ways to overcome any barriers your child faces as he/she tries to become physically active. These barriers may include a lack of access to public playgrounds, transportation or community recreational classes.

Our Indoor Jungle Gym provides an opportunity for children with special needs to stay physically active inside their homes. If the components of DreamGYM™ indoor jungle gym do not work for all abilities, it can usually be adapted so everyone can participate. Children in a wheelchair can pull themselves up by using gym rings, swing on a trapeze bar or do a hand walk on monkey bars.

The accessories are attached to the jungle gym by quick links. It is very easy to replace the existing accessories with new ones that will better suit your child’s needs and keep him/her interested.

Other sports that children with disabilities can play in a wheelchair include tennis, basketball, throwing darts, riding a bicycle with hand pedals and track. People with disabilities can also dance (in wheelchairs), ride horses, go canoeing or kayaking, swim, row and take yoga classes. For more inspiration please visit the web site of the International Paralympic Committee.

In the Resources section of our web site you can find articles about vestibular therapy, hammock therapy, physical and sensory therapy.