Data & Research
Including Students with Moderate and Severe Intellectual Disabilities in School Extracurricular and Community Recreation Activities: Steps to Success
Jen
- Students with a Cognitive Impairment need extensive opportunities to develop skills and participate in various recreation and leisure opportunities (Kleinert, Miracle, & Sheppard-Jones, 2007).
- Often, the activities students with a Cognitive Impairment participate in are solitary activities such as watching T.V. (Kleinert, Miracle, & Sheppard-Jones, 2007).
- Through extensive interviews with graduates and their families, Kleinert et. al. found that there were minimal opportunities for students with a Cognitive Impairment to participate in.
- Based on a survey to teachers statewide, the most frequent activity students with a Cognitive Impairment participated in were church youth groups and community sports teams (Kleinert, Miracle, & Sheppard-Jones, 2007).
- Recreation and leisure are essential for developing friendships, increasing the likelihood of post school success, and improving the overall quality of life (Kleinert, Miracle, & Sheppard-Jones, 2007).
Self-Concept and Adaptive Behaviour of People with Intellectual Disability in Integrated and Segregated Recreation Activities
Richelle
- The study group included 33 individuals with mild– moderate intellectual disabilities , who were aged 14-60 years, single, living at home or in community living arrangements, and participat- ing in leisure activities of the community centres for the general population.
- The comparison group included 31 people with mild ID, who were aged 14-60 years, single, living at home or in community living arrangements, and participating in leisure activities in special social clubs for persons with ID.
- Two hypothesis: 1. Whether people with intellectual disabilities who participate in integrated recreation programs have a higher self-concept than those who participate in segregate programs. 2.Whether individuals with intellectual disabilities who have better adaptive behavior have higher self-concept than people with intellectual disabilities who have lower adaptive behavior.
- The common assumption is that identifying children as exceptional and isolating them from the larger school population results in a a lower self-concept, supposedly in reaction to the effect of handicapped labels (Coleman 1983).
- The goal of this study was to consider the effect of inclusion during leisure activities. Self-concept and adaptive behaviors were assessed.
- The physical self-concept and whole self-concept of individuals with ID who participated in integrated programmes was found to be higher than that of their counterparts who participated in segregated programs.
Relationship Between Recreation and Levels of Self-Determination for Adolescents and Young Adults With Disabilities
Erica
- Self-determination and recreation have a positive impact on a person with a disability by increasing their long-term quality of life.
- Included 47 students in high school and post-high school programs with an IQ from 40-75
- Data was collected through activity logs, the Arc’s Self-determination Scale, and a document review of their permanent school file to look at their demographics
- Tracked their recreation for 2 weeks
- Variables that predict the amount of time students are involved in recreation were the mean duration of the activity, if they were male or female, and the level of independence of planning the event.
- The question of if higher self-determination levels leads to more recreation or if more recreation leads to higher levels of self-determination still remains though.
- A reasonable assumption is that the latter is the answer; interactions with the environment --> recreation is full of choices --> higher self-determination.
- Research shows that through recreation students can improve not only fitness and self-determination but also cognition, language, friendships, and social skills.
Participation of Children with and without Disabilities in Social, Recreational and Leisure Activities
Christina
- Individuals with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 5 to 17 were surveyed in regards to their participation in social, recreational and leisure activities.
- The study looked into "with whom" individuals were interacting with (peers, parents and other adults).
- Results showed that individuals with intellectual disabilities participated in more social activities with their parents than their TD peers.
- The sample showed that individuals with intellectual disabilities are participating in social activities but not to the extent of their TD peers.
- It is possible that while engaging in these activities, individuals with disabilities are participating but are not being full included or experencing true social relationships and friendships.
- As educators we need to encourage these social interactions and help to increase the emphasis on providing individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunities to become involved in their communities.
Patterns of Leisure Participation Among Adolescents with a Mild Intellectual Disability
Heather
- Adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities were surveyed along with their parents.
- Responses were compared for accuracy and reliability.
- Findings showed strong evidence for home based activities with a passive nature.
- Watching television and listening to music where the top two reported activities reported by students and parents.
- Talking on the phone was rated the most frequent communication activity.
- It was stated that most activities that took place out of the house took place in conjunction with family members and school personnel.
- Barriers or limitations were also assessed by the study-the highest reasons were not having a place for the activity and issues with transportation opportunities.
- Stressed importance leisure and recreation activities have on social and practical skills for the surveyed population.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Heather
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsZNx3SKHM8&feature=player_embedded
Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Review of the Literature
*Also knows as "Hippotherapy"
Physical Improvements
Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Review of the Literature
*Also knows as "Hippotherapy"
Physical Improvements
- Major effect on many body systems
- Balance
- Muscle strength
- Joint range
- Coordination
- Posture
- Self-confidence
- Self-concept
- Self-esteem