Physical Activity at Home for Individuals with Significant Support Needs
Safety While Supporting Someone
It is vital to know the prior and current health conditions.
Collaborate with your child's Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Primary Doctor to monitor changing medical needs and monitor times for movement.
It is important to start very easy and slowly increase the stretch as the muscles loosen. Over stretching can cause pain and injury.
It is essential to know how the person best communicates and to be attentive to their communication via words, vocalization, facial expression, body movement, assistive technology, picture communication symbols, or actual objects.
It is better to stop if you believe the individual is experiencing discomfort beyond what the stretch is providing.
If injury does occur, call your health provider or 9-1-1 immediately
The IEP Should Guide The Practice
To help you plan your activity choices at home, review your child’s IEP before starting. Specific things to look at on the IEP are:
Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
Supplemental Aids, Supports, Services, and Program Modifications
Goals and Objectives
Prior Progress Reports
These areas will help you plan for a fun and productive time at home.
Foundational Skills
The base skills that make up the more complex movements and higher order level concepts for an individual to participate in leisure, sport, and activities of daily living.
