Activities for Children with Special Needs
For ID Care Services day centre, community and home programmes. Every child has the right to learn and thrive. Our educational support bridges gaps by pairing evidence-based activities with individual strengths and interests, so progress feels achievable and fun.
Our Principles
Caring Support When You Need a Break
Personalised
Goals co-created with the child and family (EHCP where applicable).
Strength-Based
Start with what the child enjoys; build from success.
Accessible
Visual supports, clear routines, and sensory-aware practice.
Measurable
SMART targets, short data notes each session, regular reviews.
Activity Menu
(pick & mix by need)
Communication & Language
- Makaton/PECS/AAC practice, choice boards, “first/then” cards.
- Conversation games, turn-taking, story circles, puppets/role-play.
- Sound awareness and vocabulary building through picture-books and objects of reference.
Cognition & Learning
- Sequencing and memory games; matching, sorting, and categorising.
- Early literacy: phonics trays, letter–sound hunts, shared reading.
- Numeracy: number lines, money games, shape puzzles, time concepts using visual timers.
- Problem-solving stations: cause-and-effect toys, coding mice/robots, simple STEM builds.
Sensory Regulation & Physical
- Sensory circuits (alerting–organising–calming), heavy-work tasks, movement breaks.
- Fine motor: threading, peg boards, theraputty, cooking prep (peeling, spreading).
- Gross motor: obstacle routes, beanbag targets, balance trails, ball skills.
Social & Emotional
- Feelings check-ins, zones of regulation, breathing and grounding strategies
- Friendship skills: joint projects, cooperative board games, “asking for help” scripts.
- Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): clear expectations, low-arousal spaces, visual rules.
Independence & Life Skills
- Dressing steps with backward-chaining, tooth-brushing visuals, hand-washing timers.
- Food prep: no-cook recipes, safe knife skills, snack shop role-play.
- Community skills: crossing practice, bus practice with mock tickets, library visits.
Creativity & Play
- Art labs (choice of tools, mess-friendly), music & movement, drama, sensory stories.
- Nature learning: scavenger hunts, planting, mini-beast exploration.
Tools & Strategies We Use
Visual timetables, social stories, now/next cards, timers.
Task analysis and backward chaining to build independence.
rompt-fading and generalisation across settings (centre → community → home).
TEACCH-style structured work systems; low-demand/choice-rich approaches.
Collaborative consultation with SLT/OT/Physio/School where agreed.
Example SMART goals
1. In 10 weeks
Sam will request a break using a choice card or AAC in 4/5 opportunities
2. In 8 weeks
Aisha will count out exact coins up to £1 in 3/4 trials in the centre shop.
3. In 12 weeks
Leo will sequence tooth-brushing (5 steps) with a visual strip and one verbal prompt.
Supporting Progress, Safety, and Independence Together
A typical session (45–90 mins)
- Arrival & regulation: hello routine, movement/sensory choice.
- Warm-up: high-success game linked to goal.
- Focused learning: graded activity with prompts; short data note.
- Generalise: practise same skill in a new context (corridor/garden/shop).
- Review & home tip: what went well + simple strategy for parents/carers.
Access & inclusion
- 1:1 or small-group work as assessed; gender-specific care on request.
- Low-arousal spaces and quiet corners; noise-reduction headphones available.
- Cultural and religious preferences respected (diet, dress, prayer times)
- Trained, DBS-checked staff; safeguarding children, first aid, infection control, moving & handling, PBS, autism-informed practice.
Partnership with families & schools
- Short handover after each session and weekly progress snapshot.
- Shared visuals and practice ideas for home.
- Termly review aligned with EHCP targets; joint meetings with school/therapists (where agreed).
Outcome focus
- more engagement, more independence, and more joyful participation—step by step.
Sample weekly timetable (illustrative)
Communication Club (AAC/PECS) · Sensory Circuit · Art Lab
Numeracy in Real Life (snack shop) · Travel Skills · Library Visit
Literacy Through Play · Cooking Skills · Music & Movement
Life Skills Studio (dressing/tooth-brushing) · Garden Science
Community Outing (park/café) · Social Games · Calm & Reflect
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