Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Special Needs Center

Opportunity:

One location that offers opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families to participate in multiple activities that would be welcoming to all. 

               Who: Individuals with special needs and their families

What: They have limited opportunities to participate in activities outside of medical and therapy services that tailors to their specific abilities and gives options for social growth and to learn skills that they could use as employment.

Why: Most businesses offering enrichment programs are not equipped or willing to accommodate for those with special needs. 

Testing the who: Special needs is a broad term encompassing all levels and abilities of individuals with medical and behavioral conditions.  Their families would include parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and whoever would want to participate in activities along with them.  This could extend to school, girl/boy scouts and other volunteer outreach programs who could use the services to be inclusive of all.

Testing the what: Activities that are fun or athletic in nature that could adapt to include those with all abilities.  Including social skills events and creative making opportunities that could possibly be sold by them to teach them how to work and give them a purpose.  The biggest key would be to offer these services in a safe space where there is no judgement.

Testing the why: Siblings, parents, and grandparents do not often get to participate in activities with they’re loved one who is disabled and it often divides attention.  Most programs do not make accommodations so therefore new opportunities are not presented to those who need different instruction.  They would never know if they were good at something or enjoyed doing it if they were not given the chance to learn it. 

Interview #1:

This interview was with a parent of two children with differing levels of disabilities.  One child was more severe than the other and both required additional services outside of school.  This mom was struggling with conflicts in both child’s schedules and did not know how she would include anything additional even if it was something they could all do together.  Not to mention financially it might not be something they could afford as she was a stay at home mom.  Activities together sounds like a good idea in theory but she did not know if many in her same situation would be able to participate.

Interview #2:

This mom of 3 kids has the oldest child on the autism spectrum, a middle typical child and a young toddler.  Her outlook in raising her daughter with autism is to “not disable her with her disabilities.”  Given that statement she does know that in most situations her daughter with disabilities does not have the same opportunities as her younger sisters.   As they all grow older it is hard to take her middle child to camps, painting classes and soccer tournaments and have to explain to the oldest that she cannot attend if they do not offer accommodations.  She is in a particular situation where is also does not want to deny the younger two of doing activities they are able.  She definitely sees the potential of supporting a center that was for all of her children but she just didn’t know if it was something that would add to the list of places she already had to go.

Interview #3:

This interview was with a sibling of a girl with autism and epilepsy who is also intellectually disabled.  When talking with her I discovered that she had spent many hours with her mother at therapy centers waiting for her sister.  On the reverse the special needs child spent time sitting out and observing her activities.  They would do family time and play games or go to movies but as far as outside of school and home most of their interaction was sitting and watching the other participate in something.  This sister is older but would like to take an art class or jewelry making class with her sister.  She knows how her friends react when she is around and they do not know what to say to her.  It makes everything awkward. 

Interview #4:

I wanted to expand on who I talk to and chose someone who did not have a family member with special needs but is an active volunteer with organizations who do provide services for them.  He had been in the Best Buddies program in high school and spent time around those with disabilities.  He said all buddies were encouraged to try to do things together outside of the school setting and to form friendships with his buddy but that there were limits to what the two of them could do together.  He thought it would be great to attend something that was centered around a sport such as soccer. 

Interview #5:

A Dad’s perspective was needed to round out the potential customers.  This Dad has two sons.  The oldest is active in different sports and they travel for baseball.  The youngest son has moderate disabilities and has sensory issues.  This Dad helps coach on the baseball team and spends two nights a week and weekends at the baseball park.  Most of the time the youngest stays home with the mom as he cannot sit at the ballpark all day.  He finds that he does miss out on a good deal of time with his youngest.  It would be nice to sign up for an activity of some sort that they could do together and he could devote special attention.  Something that would be theirs they can do together he just does not know of something outside of the house that would be accommodating. 

All of my interviewee’s had a different perspective.  Most of them would be interested in a special needs center.  The issue seemed to be in what was offered and in timing.  The activities that would be interesting to one family would not be as interesting to others.  The one mom who flat out said it was good in theory but she did not know if she could add that to her routine made me think that is how most parents going through that are.  They do not have as much time to plan the fun stuff or the extra money to spend on it.