April 2005

Recreational Activities

With spring and summer approaching it is time to think about recreational activities that are done in the great outdoors. Children with disabilities should be able to enjoy the same type of activities as their peers. There are several companies that have developed equipment to do just that.

Freedom concepts not only makes adaptive bikes that adjust to accommodate children requiring maximum trunk support or assistance in pedaling, but they also make a wonderful tandem bike that allows the parent to do the pedaling while the child rides in front well supported. What a great way for an entire family to enjoy bike riding. Sure it is a little more work for the person pedaling but the rewards seem worth it.

When it is time for the beach, children in wheelchairs can enjoy the ocean as well. Think about renting or purchasing an all terrain wheelchair. These chairs have large inflated rubber wheels that roll easily over sand and uneven terrain. There are even some that can be rolled into the water/sand . Two companies to check out are: Deming Designs Inc. www.beachwheelchair.com and Natural Access at www.landeez.com.

All children enjoy playground equipment. The Equipment Shop has many adaptive swings that can be placed on regular playsets in your backyard. Contact www.equipmentshop.com for more information. We also have these catalogs at the office, so ask your therapist for one if you are interested.

Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services is offering their annual Therapeutic Recreation Services for children of all ages. There are excellent programs offered throughout the year and in the summer. The fees are quite minimal. Here are just a few of the programs that would meet the needs of our families:

• The S.M.I.L.E. Program is an integrated play program for children who have disabilities and their typically developing peers. Fee is $15 per session. Sessions are each Saturday morning during the fall, winter, and spring.
• Saturday Leisure Program: designed to provide individuals with developmental disabilities, ages 5-12, an opportunity to engage in a variety of activities such as sports, fitness, arts, and crafts, games and special events. Program operates fall, winter, and spring. Space is limited.
• After School Motor Skills Program: for ages 5-12 is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-5PM.

Ages 5-12:
• Summer Adventure Program (for children with ADD/ADHD)
• Summer Explore Program (for children with physical disabilities)
• Beepball Program (for children with visual impairments)

Ages 13-18:
• Summer Leisure Program
• Leisure Exploration Program (for children with Asperger's)

Please call Therapeutic Recreation Department at 703-324-5532 for more information.

The Sure-Step is a new orthotic developed for low tone feet. Recently we had the developer of this product in the office for an in-service. The Sure Step uses unique principles of compressing the foot into neutral alignment which then corrects low tone pronation. This appliance is not for every child, but it does have some appropriate uses. Ask your therapist for more details.

Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation (TES) is a wonderful modality that is applied in the comfort of your own home. It is electrical stimulation that is applied on a sensory level, which means children do not feel the electrical impulse, nor do they experience an active muscle contraction. It is applied during the night and it promotes better blood supply to bones and muscles, adds to muscle bulk, and reduces the chance of atrophy to unused muscles. Very often it is combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) which is the modality that does allow a muscle to visibly and involuntarily contract. The Children's Therapy Center has staff who are certified in evaluating your child for TES. Excellent results have been achieved with this device. Ask your therapist if this mode of intervention is appropriate for your child.