Activities for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

By Communicare

As with anyone else, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need activities that help keep them physically and mentally active. Not only do recreational or leisurely activities improve their physical health, but they also provide engaging and educational opportunities for people with IDD to develop social skills and cognitive abilities.

Individuals with IDD may find participating in some activities challenging. Physical limitations may keep them from specific movements, but there are still many enjoyable activities open to them. The key is to find an activity that can be adjusted to meet any of their special needs.

Here are some fun activities for adults with IDD:

1. Turn Up the Music and Dance

Most people dance for fun without realizing that keeping up with the beat and moving their body is a form of inventive exercise. Dancing gets your heart racing, your adrenaline up and your spirits high! The energizing act of dancing is an excellent way for people with IDD to work out while having fun. Not only does dancing build muscular and cardiovascular endurance and improve flexibility, but it also stimulates happiness and alleviates mental tension. Those with physical disabilities can also participate by letting the music’s vibrations stimulate their senses and encourage any range of movement.

2. Bond Over Gardening

Gardening with someone with IDD will help develop their social and communication skills. Involve them in gardening activities such as digging, watering, weeding and harvesting. As they learn new skills, it will boost their confidence and improve their well-being. The opportunity to learn and improve their motor skills can be empowering. Being in touch with the earth can be grounding or calming and restorative. Sunlight also stimulates the body’s natural vitamin D production. Besides the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and the joy of getting their hands a bit dirty, it will also give them great joy to watch their plants grow and become part of a flower arrangement, craft or even an ingredient for a dish.

3. Get Crafty by Creating Art

Crafting or creating art through painting, clay molding and model building engages cognitive skills and improves hand-eye coordination. It also inspires self-esteem as individuals with IDD are given creative freedom. Through art, they can express their emotions and intentions. Sensory-based activities also nurture fine motor skills, potentially helping someone with IDD strengthen inner muscles and certain movements.

4. Go Camping

Depending on where you live, travel restrictions and campground closures may limit your ability to camp in the wilderness, but this shouldn’t stop you from getting outside. Rooftops and backyards make perfect camping locations. Pre-pack snacks, prepare a sing-along playlist, plan games, hold a mini talent show or have a cooking challenge. What makes camping with an adult with IDD so engaging is planning a night filled with all the activities they enjoy most. So be sure to include them in the process and encourage them to offer their ideas.

5. Practice Mindfulness Through Meditation

Many adults with IDD struggle with physical pain, anxiety, depression and stress. And many of them cannot fully communicate these feelings. Engaging in meditative practices, such as yoga, has been observed to have benefits for an individual with chronic health issues and IDD. It helps them increase patience and tolerance and reduce negative emotions. The result is an improvement in mental wellness and overall well-being.

With a mission of normalization and destigmatization, Communicare has a long history of providing individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities with quality service. We promote the belief that developmental disabilities should not prevent anyone from leading a full life.