Extracurricular activities beneficial for students with learning, developmental disabilities | Education

As most parents can tell you, children are constantly learning, whether they are in the classroom or not, and that especially rings true for children with learning or developmental disabilities. That makes it imperative to find after school activities that can help children as they develop, even if what they learn does not ultimately show up on their report card. Parents of children with disabilities may sometimes feel like they have limited options for their children, but Rachel Nicelley, enrichment manager at Bridgeway Academy in Columbus, Stephanie Royal and Scott Burton, the co-interim associate heads of school at Marburn Academy in New Albany, said there are options available in relation to what is best for each child.

Bridgeway Academy serves about 60 families with its after school care program and is an excellent place for children to build relationships and learn social skills, Nicelley noted.

“(The program) is definitely more than just an environment where the kids come to play,” she noted. “They play, they explore, they build relationships and friendships with other students their own age. It kind of comes naturally with the environment, which is the best way to learn how to do things, especially things like social skills and play skills.”

Royal and Burton said Marburn Academy’s mission is to empower children who learn differently to achieve success in all areas of their lives, and that is reflected in the school’s approach to after school programs. They said any student who’s interested in any activity or club they offer is welcome to participate.

“There has to be a good balance (between learning and fun),” Burton explained. “Our kids see a lot of pleasure out of seeing growth in different areas, just like anyone. We’ve all seen where we’ve grown in an area, and it may be some hard work, but we value that. And our kids are the same way. But it still has to be fun; but when it’s fun and they’re growing in their skill set, that’s when we really get a good match.”

Nicelley said, Bridgeway Academy helps children explore what they may like more in depth in smaller therapy groups. She noted children can learn and experiment with art, music and even cooking, under the guidance of licensed therapists, in groups. At the after school program, toilet training, a skill that is quire useful, is frequently practiced with children three years and older.

“When they’re in a classroom, they have (individual education programs) goals and they have educational goals and they have therapeutic goals,” she stated. “And then when they come to aftercare, the goal is to play and to have fun and to advocate for themselves when they need to go to the bathroom, when they’re hungry, when they’re thirsty, because they don’t always have access to their backpacks. And they can’t necessarily walk themselves to the bathroom or go to the bathroom by themselves, so they have to tell a teacher or get our attention. So we also work on a lot of communication.”

Royal and Burton said relationships were incredibly important at Marburn Academy, with Royal noting that teachers often will help identify activities a child would likely enjoy, just through teaching and spending time with them.

“I do think that allows the opportunity for students to feel safe in a place that they know they can lean into things that may be difficult,” she explained. “And being encouraged by the teachers … and everyone here that yes, you can do this, and it’s exciting and an opportunity. And we’re all behind you to support you.”

Ed Carroll is a freelance journalist.