Any ideas of community activities for young adults (18-22) with Downs Syndrome?

Question

I am a teacher's aid in a young adult program that helps high funtioning students with disabilities develope life skills. We go places like the grocery store, laundry mat, library, exercise at the local gym... The students learn how to make correct change, return bottles, buy a few items, learn to check out books and return them on time, etc.

We also go to movies, bowling, the local gym and restaurants.

I want to come up with some new outings for the students that would be fun for them and also a good learning experience. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Getting them involved in volunteer opportunities is a great option to. I would cater to their interests. Agencies often need people to stuff envelopes for mailers. Find a company or agency the individuals might be interested in. I volunteer at an animal shelter to walk dogs and pet cats and there are also some adults from a group home who volunteer and are really excited about that. I would do a survey of interests and see how you can incorporate the people's interests into the activities. Also you can look for places that give tours, museums, factories etc.

Answer 2

What about going to a farm for the day and ask if they can join in the days running of the farm, so they are learning how to look after animals and getting work experience.

Find somewhere where they could get life experience through work but something fun that they will enjoy even if its the movies helping people find their seats etc its something different.

Answer 3

I have a buddy from college who come to school to pick me up and takes me to places we want to go. We go to the mall, we play monopoly, we listen to music and dance, go to Tiger games, sing karaoke, and do whatever we like to do.

Answer 4

I used to have a similar job. Some things we did were swimming at a local pool (indoor for winter), attending minor or major league ball games (you can usually get cheap tickets for day games at local ball stadiums), be community helpers with a  grade school special education class- your students can go into the classroom and help the students or accompany them on field trips and help them learn safety rules, how to buy groceries, count change, visit the library- most people with special needs love to have the chance to teach someone!, miniature golf, visit local museum or zoo, go fishing, find a local pizza place that will let you come in and teach the students how to make their own pizza, pet stores or animal shelters, shopping mall, volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry, or visit fire station, police station, hospital, etc.