Benefits of and Barriers to Recreational Activities and Alternative Therapies for Children with Special Needs

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits and barriers of non-traditional therapies and recreational activities for children with special needs. Secondarily, this paper proposes strategies that can be utilized by pediatric physical therapists to connect families of children with special needs to recreational activity programs and non-traditional therapies in their communities.

Description: Children with special needs present with varying developmental delays and learning disabilities that are not generally addressed with non-traditional treatments like recreational activities or alternative therapies, such as Special Olympics, sports, and adventure camps. Despite the knowledge of these specialized therapies, we hypothesize the frequency and consistency of their utilization to be limited. Results of a systematic review of the literature focused on the benefits of and barriers to non-traditional therapies was conducted. The review confirmed the benefits of non-traditional treatments influence progress not only in physical development but social and emotional as well. Barriers to participation include, but are not limited to, cost and parental involvement. An informational brochure was developed to provide recreational activities and non-traditional therapies available in our local community.

Summary of Use: Opportunities exist for pediatric physical therapists to facilitate the participation of children with special needs in recreational activities and non-traditional or alternative therapies through parental education and professional networking. The information in this poster will be used to encourage physical therapists to increase their efforts in identifying and partnering with other healthcare professionals and community experts to coordinate plans of care for children with special needs that include advancing engagement in physical activity through recreational and non-traditional/alternative therapies.

Importance to Members: Recreational and non-traditional/alternative therapies can influence progress not only in physical development but social and emotional growth, all of which are crucial to the health and wellness of a child with special needs (NCTRC, 2021). A physical therapist may be the only resource available to connect families to such programs. It is important to increase the knowledge and awareness of members and parents of programs available in communities and how they will benefit children with special needs. The benefits of these programs could provide life-long social skills and build the foundation for a long-term, easy-to-follow, health and wellness program. With the increased attention to the responsibility of physical therapists related to public health and individual health and wellness currently emerging in our profession, this topic is timely as well as relevant.