Intellectual Disability Activities

A person is said to be intellectually disabled if his IQ levels falls below 70. Intellectual disability can be genetic, or may develop due to incidents such as brain injury. An intellectually disabled person is unable to carry out usual daily life tasks without help or assistance. Different kinds of intellectual disabilities include problems with following instructions, understanding complex information, thinking, learning, concentrating, speaking, hearing, walking, using judgment, memory, reflex actions and performing manual tasks. An intellectually disabled person can be included in the society with a little help and guidance.

Sports and Games

• For physical well-being and confidence-building in intellectually disabled people, sport activities work well. These sport activities can include simple things such as a walk in the park, or a game of catch. Such activities help them develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Arts and Crafts

• Colors and art can be a significant helping factor in mental healing. You can plan simple art activities, which may include painting, coloring and collage-making. You can help them develop their learning and concentration skills by painting with them, showing them how to hold the paint brush and crayons. Also, you can teach them about colors and help them remember the information by connecting each color to a visual description, a picture or some story. This will help them strengthen their memory skills, and they will learn to associate to things in order to remember them.

Technology and Computers

• With technological advancements, it is easy to arrange simple activities for intellectually disabled people. You can teach them the basics of the computer with thorough training and guidance. Gradually, get them to explore various features and introduce basic Web surfing. Photography can also be a fun activity for intellectually disabled people, using point-and-shoot cameras. For intellectually disabled people to carry out these activities, constant supervision is essential.

Interactive Social Groups

• When in a group, intellectually disabled people react in different ways. Some might enjoy the gathering, while others may get scared or nervous. It is important to provide the intellectually disabled person with some kind of social contact. Group activities can include reading of a book to the whole group, participating in sport activities, normal interactive conversations about personal interests and habits such as food, music and family.

Entertainment Activities

• Providing such people with adequate entertainment activities is also the responsibility of the caretaker, who may be a parent, a nurse or a teacher. It is important to make the intellectually disabled person a part of daily life activities. You can take him grocery shopping along with you, or arrange special shopping trips for him. Other entertainment activities can include watching movies, going to a concert and picnics.