Leisure & Play
Play time can bring loads of fun for you and your child with special needs, however it often requires creative thinking, toys and equipment to assist your child’s special needs. Play time can also incorporate some therapy too!
We have provided PDF files and links to play ideas that we have found to be both practical and enjoyable for kids, their siblings and carers.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
Consider getting a Companion Card which allows companion/carer of children with profound disabilities free entry into a variety of leisure and recreation events.
- PLAY IDEAS FOR PHYSICAL NEEDS
- PLAY IDEAS FOR COMMUNICATION NEEDS
- PLAY IDEAS FOR HEARING NEEDS
- PLAY IDEAS FOR INTELLECTUAL NEEDS
- PLAY IDEAS FOR VISION NEEDS
- PLAY IDEAS FOR AUTISTIC NEEDS
- RECREATION ACTIVITIES IN YOUR STATE
PLAY IDEAS FOR PHYSICAL NEEDS
Download "Playtalks" here... this guide by Scope provides useful play ideas for children with high physical needs, postural needs, communication needs and vision needs. This guide offers leisure activities some of which incorporate physical therapy.
Click the links to Spectronics , Tecsol , Novitatech to view or order switch adapted and easy access toys, games & puzzles for children with high physical needs.
Click here to view Tecsol toy catalogue
Consult with an Occupational Therapist who can advise on play ideas, toys, equipment to assist your child’s postural needs, and a Speech Pathologist if your child is non-verbal or has speech challenges.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
COMMUNICATION NEEDS
Download "Playtalks" here... this guide by Scope provides useful play ideas for children with high physical needs, postural needs, communication needs and vision needs. This guide offers leisure activities some of which incorporate physical therapy.
Click the links to Spectronics , Tecsol , Novitatech to view or order communication devices for children with high communication needs.
Consult with a speech pathologist for play ideas and to learn about toys, and assitive communication devices (such as pod books and computers).
Lee's Blog: I strongly recommend any parent of a child with speech difficulties or non-verbal to participate in the Hanen Program "It Takes 2 To Talk". This program designed to assist carers understand children’s cues and to learn to communicate so that you understand your child and your child understands you.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
HEARING NEEDS
Makaton Nursery Rhymes DVD is great fun and is available from Variety Tasmania.
Visit Aussie Deaf Kids for ideas and resources.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
INTELLECTUAL NEEDS
Read the Child with Special Needs : Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth (Merloyd Lawrence Book) (Hardcover) by Stanley I. Greenspan (Author), Serena Wieder (Author), Robin Simons (Author) available at www.amazon.com. This book raises ideas for encouraging intellectual and emotional growth through play activities and communication.
Action Songs DVD from Variety Tasmania is produced especially for children with intellectual needs.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
VISION NEEDS
Visit the Aussie Blind Kids Network for heaps of tips and play ideas and a range of leisure activities to do in your state. Click on resources to view available books, podcasts, info sheets and more. Talking books, and cause effect toys are often enjoyed by young children with high vision needs.
For older kids who wish to access the internet:The web accessibility team at Accessible Information Solutions run Workshops and Training programs across Australia; and provide services in Web Testing and Consulting. These tools are free to be downloaded:
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
AUTISTIC NEEDS
The earlier play skills can be taught to young children, the better the chance that social interaction can develop and rituals and routines may decrease. Intrusion on your child’s isolation is a way of establishing contact. This can be achieved by offering toys and objects and establishing play routines/games that the child finds enjoyable.
SKSN has found a collection of play scenarios (on autismteachingtools.com) that help you target specific developmental play levels. Post your ideas on our SKSN Community Board.
Click here to find out about the Aust Govt 1000 Hours Per Year of Early Intervention Support for children with autism.
Visit the SKSN Community Board for more Tips by Parents for Parents.
Leisure Activities in Your State
Submit more activities by contacting us.
AUSTRALIA WIDE
Noah's Ark
A not-for-profit organization providing professional and developmental support to children with a disability and additional needs.
Playgroups Australia
Including information on Playconnect Playgroups for children with Autism
Sailability Australia
Encourages and facilitates sailing and boating throughout Australia for people with disabilities in social, recreational and competitive activities.
ACT
ACT Gov Sports and Recreation Database
Use the drop down menu and look in the Disabled categories of Riding, Sailing, Tenpin Bowling, Sports and Recreation and Disability Support Services
Leapfrog Adventures Inc
Learning through outdoor adventures
PEGASUS
Riding for the Disabled of the ACT is a not-for-profit community organization that provides equestrian activities for people with a disability.
NSW
Accessible Arts
Promotes and provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in arts and cultural activities.
Merry Makers - dance for children and adults.
Noah's Ark Toy Library
Riding for the Disabled NSW - view Australia wide site for contact details
THE STARS ARE NOT TOO FAR - a project to provide Dance workshops for teens and Young adults with Disabilities
NT
Riding for the Disabled NT - view Australia wide site for contact details
QLD
Riding for the Disabled Association of Queensland (RDAQ).
SA
The Adelaide Music Therapy Centre
Uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages.
Riding for the Disabled Assoc. SA Inc (RDA SA)
TAS
Tasmanian Riding for the Disabled Association
TASRAD
The peak sport and recreation body for people with disabilities in Tasmania.
VIC
Noah's Ark Inc
Toy Library
Playgroups Victoria and Play Connect Playgroups
For children with Autism
Riding for the Disabled Victoria
WA
Riding for the Disabled (in various locations around WA including remote and rural). These services are often free or for a small fee. Riding can aid your child’s development of head/trunk control and balance in a relaxed and fun environment. Phone +61 8 9296 4655 before 4pm weekdays to find your nearest centre or email state@ridingdevelopsability.com.
Mandurah Disabled Sport and Recreation Respite inc
Wheelchair Sports WA
Phone 61 8 9319 1292
Recreation Network Inc Phone(08) 9443 8788 Fax (08) 9443 8799
Email - recnet@iinet.net.au
391 Oxford Street Mt Hawthorn WA 6016
WA Disabled Sports Association Inc (WADSA) Tel (08) 9470 1442 Fax (08) 9470 3878
Email - reception@wadsa.org.au
Gloucester Street, (Cnr Kent Street) Victoria Park WA 6100
Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre Inc. Tel/Fax (08) 9384 3492
Brockway Rd Claremont WA 6010
Sport and Recreation Ministry Tel (08) 9387 9700
Email - janette.spencer@dsr.wa.gov.au Janette SpencerPerry Lakes
Amputee and Les Autre Sports Association of WA Tel (08) 9335 5540
Contact: Mr Jason Deiderich
Creative and Therapy Activities (CATA) Tel (08) 9448 8804 Fax (08) 9448 8558
Email - catagroup@bigpond.com
Warwick Community Service Centre Dorchester Ave Warwick WA 6024
DADAA (Ph) 9430 6616 21 Beach Street Fremantle WA 6160
Willemina Foeken Studio of Fine Arts
A qualified artist and art lecturer conducts art classes in a private studio with wheelchair access.
Located in Southern River - bordering Canning Vale. Tel (08) 9256 2905 Mobile 0429 081 664
Website: http://members.iinet.net.au/~w.foeken Email: w.foeken@iinet.net.au
Perth Theatre Trust
Click here to download a brochure with access information about Perth Theatres.
WA Cerebral Palsy Sport and Recreation Association Tel (08) 9341 2644
Email - pjose@global.net.au
WA Sport Association for the Blind Tel (08) 9271 6090
8A Ellesmere Road Mt Lawley WA 6050
Contact: Mr/s Marg and Gary Prior
WA Wheelchair Sports Association
Contact: Mr Bruce Wallrodt
Email - wawsa@bigpond.com
Tel (08) 9443 4833
Riding for the Disabled
Tel (08) 9296 4655
Email - rdawa@iprimus.com.au
Netwest (Netball for the Disabled)
Tel (08) 9398 1596
Contact: Pam Hicks
WA Disabled Water Ski Club
Tel (08) 9275 3432
Contact John Wilson
PO Box 1162
East Victoria Park WA 6101
Freedom on the River Tel (08) 9364 3905
Contact: Pierre (from RowingWA) 2 The Esplanade Mt Pleasant WA 6153
Electric Wheelchair Sports Association Tel (08) 9383 5177
Contact: Teagan O'Rafferty Po Box 53 Mosman Park WA 6012
Transplant Australia Tel (08) 9341 4067 Contact: Mr Reg Hebbard
Special Olympics WA Tel (08) 9398 4091
W.A.L.B.A.S.H. Tel (08) 9271 4484
Contact: Tom Stronach Maylands Sport and Recreation Club Maylands WA 6050
Oral Reading Circle Tel (08) 9247 5507
Contact: Gretchen Calder 18 Linto Way Alexander Heights WA 6064
Selby Recreation Centre Tel (08) 9381 0111
Paraplegic-Quadriplegic Association of WA
10 Selby St Shenton Park WA 6008
Rainbow Project
Tel (08) 9450 3905
Trained volunteers offer friendship, support and encouragement to people with psychiatric disabilities and their families.
Fishing Charters
(08) 9447 6956 or 0412 166 411
The vessel "The Office" has a big flat deck which incorporates features that are uniquely suited to disabled anglers or those with limited mobility. For example, the wide portside opening to the deck is wheelchair friendly, as is the big toilet cubicle accessible from the main deck. There is a storage locker under the aft deck which can accommodate several wheelchairs.
The Marine Machine
The Marine Machine is a specially equipped vehicle capable of carrying up to ten people with disabilities. Located on Rottnest Island groups may use the vehicle to explore all areas of this unique environment. Organised camps, Island tours, One day fishing excursions. When enjoying the ‘Fishers with Disabilities’ program, which allows participants to use specially designed rods and reels to enjoy the pleasure of fishing, you will also receive a discounted ferry ticket courtesy of Boat Torque Cruises.
For further information please contact Michelle Dyer – Community Education Officer, Department of Fisheries Tel: 9335 6800.
Fishers with Disabilities Association Inc. Tel: (08) 9432 8022 A/H: 0415 533 123 Fax: (08) 9438 8060
PO Box 466 South Fremantle WA 6162 Email: simone.johnson@fish.wa.gov.au
Contact: Simone Johnson -Coordinator
Spirit GymSports
Gymnastics programmes for children with special needs. Bookings are taken for term time only and each class runs for one hour. Fees are $3.50 per child per class.
Contact Debbs van Hagen on 9287 2813 or 9388 2053 for more information.
Sailability Royal Perth Yacht Club
Ph: 08 9423 5526 Fax: 08 9389 1459 Email: sailability@rpyc.com.au
Disabled Surfers Western Australia
Bruce Peels Mobile: 0408552071
Bek Colston PO Box 2105 Carlisle North, WA. 6101 Mobile: 0408910554
Monkey Mia Yacht Charters
PO Box 46 Denham WA 6537 Phone 08 9948 1446 or Mobile 0417 931 758
Email monkeymiaaristo@wa.com.au
Offers various tours aboard 'Aristocat 2' - fully wheelchair accessible with toilet and shower facilities. Check out their tours and prices online.
South West Opportunities for Recreation for People with Disabilities (SWORD)
Tel (08) 97910 800 Contact: Peter Bourne
Mandurah Disabled Sport and Recreation Association
Tel (08) 9586 1858 Contact: Katrina Dench
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