By Claudia Pringles
As a parent of a child with autism, I understand the concern of other parents regarding the health and well-being of their child with a developmental (or other) disability. As individuals with a developmental disability may need additional guidance and support to be successful at becoming healthy, it is vital that parents and/or primary caregivers understand and guide this needed support.
Parents and caregivers can help by educating the individual with a developmental disability about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. Educating the person in a way that is meaningful for them can go a long way towards positive changes not just for today but for the future. Individuals can be further empowered by getting the opportunity to participate and make decisions about healthy eating and exercise. For example, selecting menu items or selecting a favorite physical activity.
Motivation can be a key issue for anyone to start moving towards a healthy lifestyle. Montpelier parent, Patty Smith, finds that creating opportunities for social interaction is a strong motivator for her son with Down syndrome. Part of her son’s school day includes strength training with voluntary participation from typical peers. Not only is her son getting the exercise he needs but the involvement of typical peers provides a wonderful social environment for her son who is highly motivated by social interactions.
Creating a positive association between a physical activity and a favored activity my also help. If the individual wants to go to the movies, why not park a few blocks away and walk? Rather than just sneak-in the extra walk without explanation, take the opportunity to explain the benefits and help the individual create a positive association of walking with a favorite activity (i.e. the movie). Last summer, I handed my daughter, Katarina, my camera to entice her to walk to the Farmer’s Market in downtown Montpelier. Two hours later, she shot more than 450 pictures and had a great time doing it.
Finding a shared activity that can be enjoyed with your son or daughter also brings in the benefit of quality time and good memories. Hilary Sales and her daughter try to walk whenever possible and also enjoy many activities together like swimming, walking, and running (i.e., Girls on the Run). Hilary, a marathon-runner, believes in the importance of modeling a healthy lifestyle. Hilary stresses that you don’t have to run marathons to be a healthy parent or to be concerned with the health and fitness of your child.
Some parents prefer to hire a PCA or community support person specifically to accompany their son or daughter for walks in the mall, hikes, and trips to the gym or otherwise engage them in physical activities.
In Vermont, we are fortunate to have a variety of indoor and outdoor physical activities to choose from. In addition to programs and camps available to the general public, individuals with developmental disabilities can have access to programs such as Special Olympics and Vermont Adaptive Sports or participate in day or overnight camps which specifically cater to individuals with special needs.
Group size, settings and other individual preferences should be an important consideration when selecting a program or type of activity. Does the individual like to participate in large groups or does he or she prefer a smaller group or one-on-one? While Special Olympics may be a great ribbon-winning experience for those who thrive in a large group, others may prefer a smaller group or one-on-one setting offered by Vermont Adaptive Sports. For those who prefer a workout in their own home, a DVD such as “Ease into Fitness: Beginner Workout for People with Developmental Disabilities” might be a better fit.
Claudia Inés Pringles is the Developmental Disabilities Specialist for the Vermont Family Network and a parent of a daughter on the autism spectrum. She can be contacted at claudia.pringles@vtfn.org or 802-917-2475.
