5 BENEFITS OF CHORES FOR YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
When the dishes have piled up, the windows feature fingertip art, the floors have several days’ worth of grime, and you haven’t found time to fill the dog bowl, who can you call on to help? Your children! From sorting silverware to taking out the trash, children with special needs thrive in environments where they are given opportunities to succeed. Here are five other ways that your child with special needs benefits from chores: 1. Having a Purpose Work is critical to a person’s sense of self and purpose. It offers gratification, self-confidence, dignity, and the knowledge of having done something important-- all qualities we want for our children. If we elect to not provide chores to a child simply because she is “special,” we inadvertently send the message that she is incompetent or helpless. This message will be delivered through plenty of other outlets, unfortunately, and can be detrimental to a person’s self-esteem as they transition into adulthood. 2. Important Life Skills Whether we like it or not, the overwhelming majority of us have to do chores on a regular basis. We sweep floors, scrub counters, sort laundry, and clean mirrors in order to promote health and safety. Like the rest of us, children
with special needs often have to learn these skills to survive in the world. Barring a significant physical or cognitive challenge that prevents your child from doing so, it’s important for kids to gain some appreciation for these tasks. Helpful hint: Break chores into small chunks. For instance, feeding the dog can be: Fill the cup to the line. Pour into the bowl. Call the dog. 3. Movement and Hands-On Experience Performing chores involves children in activities that promote movement-cued development, a necessary step toward reading and writing. Activities, including vacuuming the carpets and throwing clothes into the washing machine, build gross motor skills. Pouring juice and using a screwdriver, for instance, build fine motor skills. Childhood is a time for transformative neuroplasticity, wherein learning actually shapes the brain’s functional anatomy. Performing chores, such as matching socks and setting the table, enables a better understanding of mathematical concepts as well. 4. Accountability Children better understand the consequences of their actions when having designated responsibilities. If your child realizes the result of making a mess means more work later, she may reconsider her actions.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com While having a child with special needs presents challenges, completing chores is feasible for most people. If your child struggles with fine or gross motor skills, pediatric therapy can be very helpful. Pediatric physical therapy builds on your child’s strengths while helping develop life-skills, such as those needed to complete chores. 5. Alleviate Some Stress for You Initially, teaching your child how to complete chores can feel like more work than it’s worth. In many cases, however, kids will gain the skills and knowledge to effectively manage chores themselves so that you have one less responsibility on your plate.
Staff Spotlight Laura Hash, BSW Office Manager
Laura earned a Bachelor of Social Work and Certificate in Case Management from Indiana University in 2011. After graduating, she relocated to Danville, Virginia to pursue work with a local non-profit organization before joining the CPT staff in December 2015. As the Danville Office Manager, Laura thrives in the opportunity to combine two of her favorite things in life: helping people and keeping things organized. With her administrative experience and social work background, Laura enjoys running an efficient office that helps create an all-around positive environment for the staff and patients alike. When not at work, Laura’s favorite things to do are going to the movies, finding new recipes to cook (especially fun desserts), spending time with her nephews, and going bargain shopping. She is still a Hoosier at heart and loves Indianapolis Colts football.
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