RECREATIONAL GUIDE
Pathways to Play: Choosing Community Recreation Programs
Pathways to Play
Taking part in community recreation is great for kids! These activities and experiences boost confidence, increase physical activity, and enhance play and social interactions. There are many community programs and activities to choose from. Deciding on the best activities for your child and family can take time and access to the right information. You can make informed choices about leisure and recreation activities for your child and family by:
· Learning about different programs, activities, and accessibility options to support your child's participation and success.
· Getting familiar with terminology and features that can help you identify programs that are a good fit.
· Finding resources in your community that can help your child and family get involved.
Here are some pathways to play and recreation that you can explore:
What are Specialized or Adaptive Programs?
Programs are designed and structured for children with disabilities or individuals who are neurodivergent. The program and services are tailored to support a wide range of individual needs and disabilities. Accessibility options and supports, such as access to adaptive equipment (e.g., adaptive bicycles, art equipment) and trained staff and volunteers (e.g., sighted guides) are standard features.
What are Unified or Inclusive Programs?
Some programs are designed for children with and without disabilities to participate together. This means that children with and without disabilities participate on the same team or that peer to peer support is provided. Accessibility options and support, such as trained staff and volunteers, may be available as standard offerings. Adaptive equipment may be available. Special Olympics is an example of program that may offer specialized or unified programs.
What are Features to Look for in Community Programs?
Many community programs have features and supports that help make their programs more welcoming and inclusive for children with a wide range of abilities. There may be a menu of universal access options, flexible expectations, designated events or changes in programs tailored to specific needs (e.g., autism friendly hours; ASL performances); or accessibility options and support may be available by request. Trained staff and volunteers may be available. Sensory or autism-friendly events may offer these types of features.
The accessibility or program features that support autistic children and neurodivergence can vary by setting. It may be helpful to talk to someone from these programs or check the website to understand more about what is offered and whether it will be helpful to your child and family.
What are other accessibility features to look for?
You can look for accessibility or universally designed features in public and private community organizations and spaces. These features may help make it easier for children and families to attend together and participate in activities and around the community and may include accessible playgrounds and play spaces.
https://www.accessibleplayground.net/united-states/washington/
Pathways to Play offers a more complete guide to different types of recreation programs and activities.
The Family Recreation Decision Making Guide offers questions and suggestions that you can ask as you explore different programs and activities to match what you and your family want.