4 REASONS TO PLAY OUTSIDE WITH YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD
1. Playing outdoors promotes creativity and imaginative play. For many children with special needs, days can be incredibly limiting with rules governing every aspect of time. Being outdoors allows them to think more freely and direct their play in ways of their own choosing. Playing pretend can open windows into how children think and feel, even if they have limited verbal skills in ‘real life.’ If you pay close attention, you’re apt to recognize in your child a whole world of thoughts and emotions that you wouldn’t access if you stayed inside. 2. It improves physical fitness. To be sure, only one in three children are physically active every day, according to medical professionals specializing in pediatrics. Throughout the nation, 25.6 percent of persons with a disability reported being physically inactive during a usual week, compared to 12.8 percent of those without a disability. Yet people of every age and ability still need to engage in activities that promote body wellness. Being outdoors is a natural way to encourage these behaviors. Children can see improvements in flexibility, muscle strength, and coordination. Active outdoor play can increase body awareness, balance, cardiovascular efficiency, and motor skills. Even 15 minutes of physical activity can lengthen a person’s lifespan. 3. Outside time reduces fatigue and stress. One in three adolescents suffers from chronic stress, according to a 2013 survey from Stockholm University. Eight percent contend with stress so much that they would qualify for a clinical diagnosis of burnout if they had been adults. So while young people’s lives become more stressful due to heightened expectations, conflicting responsibilities, adult pressures, and unrealistic goals, they have fewer outlets to cope.
4. Outdoor play increases confidence. It’s an unfortunate fact, but many children with special needs and those who require pediatric physical therapy struggle with issues of self-esteem. Rather than being differently abled, they are perceived as disabled and that doesn’t make for confidence boosts. However, going outside to play can help. There are infinite ways to interact with the environment that don’t rely on prescribed rules. Likewise, there are no judgments in nature. The ocean, trees, rocks, and grass don’t tease. If your child struggles with cognitive, physical, or sensory limitations, pediatric therapy may be the solution. A trained physical therapist can help increase independent living skills while tending to children’s psychological, social, and environmental needs as well.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com
Staff Spotlight
Renae Ankeny, BS, COTA
Renae Ankeny, BS, COTA is a Certified OccupationalTherapy Assistant in Martinsville. She joined the Center for Pediatric Therapies in December 2016. She is certified and licensed to practice as an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Originally from Bassett, Virginia, Renae attended Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Virginia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology and an Associates in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. As a student at Jefferson College, Renae was active in a Bible study group and the Jefferson College Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA). She also served as a member of the OTA Program Admission Committee. She is currently a member of the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association).
Renae is inspired by helping children reach their maximum potential. She loves practicing Occupational Therapy because every day is a new day in which it teaches you to be thankful and excited about the little things. Outside of work, Renae stays busy singing on the praise team at church, teaching children’s church, horseback riding at her farm, enjoying the outdoors, and going to the gym.
centerforpediatrictherapies.com
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