Extracurricular Activities

Physical exercise should be a part of everyday life and incidental physical activity such as playing in the park or walking along the beach is still important. With increasing awareness of the wider community may see you looking into extracurricular activities for your child.  So many activities can help to meet your child’s needs both socially and physically – Gross and fine motor development. 

There are many benefits to children participating in extracurricular activities including children with Prader-Willi Syndrome– 

  • Learning new and useful skills,
  • Development of gross and fine motor skills.
  • Increased social skills – teamwork, turn taking, a sense of belonging and establishing friendships.
  • Improved academic performance, 

Children with PWS can participate in activities designed for special needs, all abilities or mainstream depending on their own needs and skills. So many more groups are becoming more aware and inclusive, and all children benefit from the inclusion of a peer with additional needs.

Some physically recreational activities include swimming, dancing, ball sports, gymnastics and horse riding. The Special Olympics is also a place where our children can shine 

Art classes, singing, acting and lego clubs can satisfy the creative individual.                                                            

There are many social groups available like scouts and guides, afterschool care clubs available at schools and long day care centres. Most community centres in your area will offer activities for children.  

Access for All Ability play (AAA)

https://aaavic.org.au
AAA Play is a free information and referral service to assist Victorians of all ages with a disability to become involved in sport and active recreation.

Special Olympics Australia (8yo +)

http://www.specialolympics.com.au
Offer the highest quality sports training and competition opportunities for people with an intellectual disability all around Australia.  Age 8 to adult

Special Olympics Australia offers regular training in athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, cricket, equestrian, football, golf, gymnastics, netball, sailing, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis and winter sports (Alpine skiing, figure skating and snowboarding). 

NB: Not all sports are available in all areas. There are also many volunteer roles

NDIS leisure activity providers

With the rollout of NDIS there are numerous service providers offering programs.

Many bigger and well-known service providers have offered Recreation and Leisure activities for many years.

  • Interaction
  • Scope
  • Yoralla
  • Gateways
  • GenU
  • Noah’s Ark
  • Leisure Networks
  • Lifeskills and
  • MacKillop Family services.

Also look for popular smaller regional and suburban service providers in your area.

Your NDIS plan can also include funding for Community access and a support worker can either take the child or adult out to enjoy the local area or to participate in activities within groups, clubs and gyms. NDIS can also assist a person to approach, speak to and join a desired group.

YMCA Victoria

http://victoria.ymca.org.au/
YMCA Vic runs sporting and social groups to cater for every sector of the community for all ages.

Community Groups

There are numerous All ability and inclusive mainstream groups and clubs to join.  Local Government websites will often be able to provide contact details. Other groups will often advertise through school newsletters and community magazines.

Large organisations like scouts and guides are also an excellent opportunity for community inclusion.

Interchange

The Interchange network of agencies provide family respite and social opportunities for children and young people with a disability through a variety of programs.

Programs may be individual or group based and are designed to provide social opportunities, life skill development, friendship and support in a fun, supportive and safe environment. Programs include holiday camps, day outings, buddy programs, sibling and parent programs.

Interchange Host Program (Respite for children)

The Host Program matches a child or young person with a disability with a host volunteer, who provides care for the child on a regular basis, such as one weekend a month, one day a fortnight or a few hours each week.

The Host Program provides opportunities for friendship and positive experiences for children with a disability, as well as provides families with a break from their caring role.Further information about Interchange can be found on their website: https://www.interchange.org.au/