How Disabled Children Socialize Outside of School

Kids with disabilities need friends and socialization outside of school, but it's not always easy to find ways to keep them involved and active with other kids. Depending on your child's disability, you can keep him connected with others through organized activities or through more casual encounters on the local playground. Parents of disabled kids need to play a proactive role in creating opportunities for socialization.

  1. Organized Acitvities

    • The easiest way to keep your child active and in touch with other kids is through organized activities. Special Olympics organizes a number of activities for disabled youngsters, but you don't have to limit yourself to activities designed for children with disabilities. Your child might be able to participate on the local baseball team or join an art class. Many kids with disabilities can take a dance or gymnastics class with typical children. The church you attend will usually have Sunday school open to all children or youth group activities. Summer camps designed for special needs kids can be a boon for parents when school is out.

    Play Dates

    • Your special needs child might not be able to ride his bike down the street to a friend's house, but that doesn't mean he can't have friends over or go to another child's house for a play date. If your child attends a special education class, get to know other parents whose kids seem to have similar abilities or who your child talks about. Set up short play dates with activities both children will enjoy, but don't overwhelm them with activity. If your child is mainstreamed, ask the teacher if there's anyone in the class who might be a good match for a play date, or ask your child.

    Creating Your Own Events

    • Parents of special needs children can organize their own activities if the community doesn't offer any. Connect with a group of parents and hire your own art teacher, or chip in to have a physical trainer come and help your kids work out together. The community is full of people who teach private classes in just about anything; advertise on the local supermarket bulletin boards if you want to start a class on a certain subject. Talk to the school about organizing a dance party, a hayride or another activity after school.

    Casual Encounters

    • If your child is capable of playing at the local playground, swimming pool, park or activity center, there's no reason why he can't make friends or at least participate in activities there. Keep a close eye while you're there, to make sure he isn't getting teased or picked on, but if he's young, most little kids like to play with other little kids, even if they're a little different. Your child might be too shy to join in with other groups of kids, but he can still "parallel play" and get to spend some time around other children.

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