How Do I Keep my Child with a Disability Physically Active?

Apr 22

I know that keeping my child active is super important but it can be really difficult, especially for children with disabilities, to stay active from all of the extra barriers me and my child have to face. Can I get a little bit of help figuring this all out?

The internet has become our best friend when it comes to easily accessible information, but we all know the internet can be an extremely dangerous place whenever you are trying to get actually important information. The purpose of this article is to look at the resources out there on the web for parents that have children with disabilities about how to keep your child active.

The intention of this article is not to communicate to you that it is good to keep your child with a disability physically active (that information seems to be everywhere on the internet), but rather to help arm you with tools when searching for education and information about your child. The intention is to ask why it is easy for the scientists to say all of this information, but can actually be extremely difficult when trying to include an endless list of recommendations made by doctors and academics for your child.

This article provides clarity as to what types of resources to look for when trying to get relevant information on how the heck you are supposed to keep your child active. The most common information out there was by far just information, and it's like we get it, it’s really really great to keep your child physically active. But what does that mean? Sports, just being outside, should I bring them to the gym with me and act like they are my tiny personal trainer?? The resources on the internet currently barely include any information that makes parents 1) know, realistically, that they can support their child to keep them active, 2) Showing parents real life examples of how exercise has helped children with disabilities and 3) real life tips and tricks on what a ‘physically active’ child with a disability looks like. This is ironic because these three things have actually been shown to be what changes parents’ behaviors. Overloading parents with information can just result in a feeling of not doing enough and a lot of confusion.

PRESS PAUSE:
Take a second to reflect on if your child is physically active, and if not, potential ways that you could help your child get a little more exercise.

PONDER:
How does this make you think about your ability to keep your child physically active?

PRACTICE:
Look for resources that don’t just tell you information and actually give you practical tips to make your child become more active. I know this is easier said than done, so here are a few websites to get you started that provide great information on how to get your child with a disability more physically active. See some suggestions below!

How Do I Keep my Child with a Disability Physically Active?

PRESS PAUSE:Take a second to reflect on if your child is physically active, and if not, potential ways that you could help your child get a little more exercise.

PONDER:How does this make you think about your ability to keep your child physically active?

The Car Ride Home

PRESS PAUSE:
Take a second to reflect on if your child is physically active, and if not, potential ways that you could help your child get a little more exercise.

PONDER:
How does this make you think about your ability to keep your child physically active?