Activities for intellectually disabled students can be hard to find. We’ve compiled a list of great activities and resources that will help to make your job easier. Below, you’ll find some ideas and tips that can help you create a fun and engaging learning environment.
Intellectually disabled students face unique learning challenges, often requiring special education. Learning activities must be chosen with the student’s specific needs in mind. A wide range of activities are available, including computer-based training and games, hands-on lessons, group work and physical education.
Computer-based learning is one way to reach intellectually disabled students. Students with severe learning disabilities use computers as a bridge to help them learn basic skills. Computer programs can help students learn about shapes, colors, numbers and letters.
Academic challenges, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities are all different things. Intellectual disability is not the same as developmental or learning disabilities. Developmental disabilities are not necessarily lifelong and do not affect intelligence or cognition like intellectual disability does. Learning disabilities are also not the same as intellectual disability, as they focus on learning, but do not necessarily affect cognition or intelligence as intellectual disability does.
Intellectual disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills that cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child.
Ideally, parents should look for activities that will help the child grow and develop their skills, while also providing opportunities to have fun.
To ensure that students with intellectual disabilities have access to a wide range of learning opportunities, special education teachers must begin by identifying each student’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Together with the student’s parents or guardians, teachers can then choose activities that will help the student develop his social skills and academic abilities.
We have been using [company name] for our after school programs for students with intellectual disabilities for the past few years and it has been a great experience. Our students love coming to class and have really improved their social skills and confidence. We also appreciate how easy it is to use and set up classes, which makes planning much easier on us! The best part is that we save money by not having an instructor come into our school each week which allows us to spend more money on supplies needed in other areas of need within the district such as technology upgrades or additional staff members.”
Examples of Activities for Intellectually Disabled Students
- Puzzles
There are many games and puzzles that can help challenge students with intellectual disabilities while they learn new skills. These activities are designed specifically for brain training and will help your student improve their critical thinking abilities as well as their ability to problem solve effectively.
- Projects
Projects are always a great way to keep kids engaged in learning something new or practicing what they have learned previously. Projects should include hands-on activities such as building models or playing with clay to engage students with intellectual disabilities during class time or at home, which will help reinforce all of that knowledge they gained from these exciting learning opportunities.
- Storytelling
Storytelling is also another great way for children with intellectual disabilities because it allows them an outlet to express themselves creatively while still following rules like those found in traditional stories such as “The Three Little Pigs”.
- Painting and Coloring
Painting and coloring are great ways to get the students to use their imagination and express themselves in a creative manner. This helps them develop critical thinking skills that will be necessary for them for the rest of their lives.
- Play Dough
Playing with play dough is a fun way to teach the students how to shape objects with their hands. This teaches them fine motor skills, which is important because they will be able to write more easily when they learn how to hold a pencil properly.
- Gardening
Gardening or taking care of pets are examples of outdoor activities that children with intellectual disabilities can do.
The best activities for intellectually disabled students are those that help them develop their abilities further, in a way that’s fun, engaging, and enjoyable. Art classes are a great way to do this. They can learn about the color wheel and different techniques for shading, or experiment with watercolors and paint. You could also take them on a field trip to an art museum to see how other artists express themselves through different mediums. Another idea is to have an “art show” at school where each student gets their own space on the wall to display something they’ve created.
You could also try taking classes in music theory or other instruments if you don’t already offer them. This will give them an opportunity to learn about different genres of music as well as learn how each instrument works together within an ensemble setting. The most important thing here is that it’s creative and allows them some freedom when it comes to expressing themselves creatively while still being able to follow instructions from others who may be more experienced than they are.