The board game sat on the shelf for eight months before you tried it. Your son struggles with turn-taking, your daughter melts down when she loses, and the idea of structured play that ends in tears felt like volunteering for failure. Then one Saturday you opened Outfoxed, a cooperative mystery game, and watched your kids work together to catch the fox for 45 minutes without a single meltdown. That's not luck. That's the right game meeting the right needs. Board games build social skills, turn-taking, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking: all the things occupational therapists target in expensive sessions. But most parents don't know which games work for which disabilities, how to modify the ones collecting dust in the closet, or why cooperative formats matter more than you'd think for kids who struggle with competition. Here's what works, organized by what your child needs most. Why Board Games Work for Therapeutic Goals. Research consistently shows that structured play develops skills that transfer beyond the game. Board games create low-pressure social practice: you take turns, read social cues, manage frustration when the dice don't cooperate, and celebrate wins without making someone else feel terrible. For kids with autism, board games provide clear rules and predictable structure, the social equivalent of a marked path through unfamiliar territory. For kids with ADHD, they build working memory and impulse control in 15-minute increments that feel like play, not work. For kids with intellectual disabilities, they teach sequencing, color and number recognition, and cause-and-effect reasoning...

Which board games work for autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities, plus how to modify the ones you already own.

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

The board game sat on the shelf for eight months before you tried it. Your son struggles with turn-taking, your daughter melts down when she loses, and the idea of structured play that ends in tears felt like volunteering for failure. Then one Saturday you opened Outfoxed, a cooperative mystery game, and watched your kids work together to catch the fox for 45 minutes without a single meltdown. That's not luck. That's the right game meeting the right needs. Board games build social skills, turn-taking, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking: all the things occupational therapists target in expensive sessions. But most parents don't know which games work for which disabilities, how to modify the ones collecting dust in the closet, or why cooperative formats matter more than you'd think for kids who struggle with competition. Here's what works, organized by what your child needs most. Why Board Games Work for Therapeutic Goals. Research consistently shows that structured play develops skills that transfer beyond the game. Board games create low-pressure social practice: you take turns, read social cues, manage frustration when the dice don't cooperate, and celebrate wins without making someone else feel terrible. For kids with autism, board games provide clear rules and predictable structure, the social equivalent of a marked path through unfamiliar territory. For kids with ADHD, they build working memory and impulse control in 15-minute increments that feel like play, not work. For kids with intellectual disabilities, they teach sequencing, color and number recognition, and cause-and-effect reasoning...

Photo Credit: Freddie B. Photography™ The Special Olympic World Games LA 2015 depend so much on the volunteers who take on dozens of jobs and responsibilities to help make it a success. This week, I was honored to interview Mayor Lucy Martin of Calabasas. The city of Calabasas has taken on the great responsibility of being a Host Town for the Great Britain team. They expect 115 athletes plus 55 people from the Great Britain Special Olympics Delegation. The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce is actively partnering with Calabasas, working with the city to engage volunteers in this worthy effort. They have been so welcoming that I'm sure the British athletes will not want to leave the kind folks of Calabasas. Mayor Lucy told us there are many "Real Heroes" volunteering in Calabasas. Dan Hunke is coaching swim and tennis for Special Needs athletes who will be participating in these and future Special Olympics Games. John Bingham, Senior Management Analyst, has gone above and beyond the call of duty. His daughter, Megan Bingham, has participated and won several medals in the California Special Olympics in Long Beach. Mayor Lucy shared with SpecialNeeds.com some of the great events set up to welcome these great athletes. On Thursday July 16th, children from kindergarten to 5th grade are invited to drop by the Calabasas Library from 4:00-4:30 p.m. to create a craft to welcome the Great Britain Special Olympics Delegation. This is a fun and creative way to celebrate...

Calabasas hosts the UK team for the Special Olympic World Games LA 2015, welcoming 170 athletes with events and volunteer support.

Calabasas Hosting Great Britain Athletes for the Special Olympic World Games

 Photo Credit: Freddie B. Photography™  The Special Olympic World Games LA 2015 depend so much on the volunteers who take on dozens of jobs and responsibilities to help make it a success. This week, I was honored to interview Mayor Lucy Martin of Calabasas.  The city of Calabasas has taken on the great responsibility of being a Host Town for the Great Britain team. They expect 115 athletes plus 55 people from the Great Britain Special Olympics Delegation. The Calabasas Chamber of Commerce is actively partnering with Calabasas, working with the city to engage volunteers in this worthy effort. They have been so welcoming that I'm sure the British athletes will not want to leave the kind folks of Calabasas.  Mayor Lucy told us there are many "Real Heroes" volunteering in Calabasas. Dan Hunke is coaching swim and tennis for Special Needs athletes who will be participating in these and future Special Olympics Games. John Bingham, Senior Management Analyst, has gone above and beyond the call of duty. His daughter, Megan Bingham, has participated and won several medals in the California Special Olympics in Long Beach. Mayor Lucy shared with SpecialNeeds.com some of the great events set up to welcome these great athletes.  On Thursday July 16th, children from kindergarten to 5th grade are invited to drop by the Calabasas Library from 4:00-4:30 p.m. to create a craft to welcome the Great Britain Special Olympics Delegation. This is a fun and creative way to celebrate...

What a treat for this correspondent to be part of today's press conference. April 16th 2015 marks "100 Days" until the Special Olympics World Games kicks off this July. As everyone gathered to hear from former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President of LA2015 Patrick Mc Clenahan, and Olympian Julie Foudy, the energy was absolutely electric at the LA84 facility. The global messengers were excited to present the press and the world with the new medals for this year's 2015 games. There will be 7,000 athletes from 177 countries participating in this global event. Hearing cheers from the crowd as ambassador to this years games, Dustin Plunkett, introduced the former Mayor. Villaraigosa gave an inspiring speech asking that everyone participate by attending or volunteering, and he also asked the corporate Los Angeles to donate funds to the cause. He called Los Angeles, "The City of America's hope and promise" and expects that the games will be successful. It was fun to see a personal favorite of mine, Greg Louganis, winner of the gold in '84 & '88. In 1984 Greg received the James E. Sullivan Award from the Amateur Athletic Union as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. His presence was that of inspiration and strength. Julie Foudy, Olympic Gold Medal in soccer, gathered a group of the female Global Messengers for a fun photo opportunity. It was so sweet to see how happy they all were with her at the center,...

Special Olympics World Games begin in 100 days with 7,000 athletes from 177 nations; LA's elite gather to celebrate & seek support.

100 Days until we meet our Real Heroes

What a treat for this correspondent to be part of today's press conference. April 16th 2015 marks "100 Days" until the Special Olympics World Games kicks off this July. As everyone gathered to hear from former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President of LA2015 Patrick Mc Clenahan, and Olympian Julie Foudy, the energy was absolutely electric at the LA84 facility. The global messengers were excited to present the press and the world with the new medals for this year's 2015 games. There will be 7,000 athletes from 177 countries participating in this global event.     Hearing cheers from the crowd as ambassador to this years games, Dustin Plunkett, introduced the former Mayor. Villaraigosa gave an inspiring speech asking that everyone participate by attending or volunteering, and he also asked the corporate Los Angeles to donate funds to the cause. He called Los Angeles, "The City of America's hope and promise" and expects that the games will be successful.    It was fun to see a personal favorite of mine, Greg Louganis, winner of the gold in '84 & '88. In 1984 Greg received the James E. Sullivan Award from the Amateur Athletic Union as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. His presence was that of inspiration and strength. Julie Foudy, Olympic Gold Medal in soccer, gathered a group of the female Global Messengers for a fun photo opportunity. It was so sweet to see how happy they all were with her at the center,...

A study published January 2012 by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) says many adults with disabilities do not have regular daily activities. This lack of educational-vocational activity leads to larger problems, such as depression, poor health, and less close sibling relationships. The study investigated nearly 800 participants; siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities completed a web-based survey. Results show that nearly 13 percent of these adults did not participate in daytime activities, and they typically had more health and emotional problems, were underserved by the service system, and had parents who were less able to provide care. Researchers said these adults who did not have daily activities had three times the unmet needs as their peers who are working, volunteering, or attending school. These individuals are perhaps the most in need of formal support and activities, yet they are the ones not receiving care. Additionally, the siblings of those individuals not participating in daily activities also had poorer mental and physical health, and their relationships with their disabled siblings were weaker. When individuals with disabilities age out of the school system, where many of their needs are provided for, they typically either stay home or are placed in a community home. Many of these group homes are expensive or hard to get into, which makes it more difficult for families to provide long-term care for these adults. Research such as this study shows...

Study reveals adults with disabilities lacking daily activities face more health/emotional issues and are underserved by support systems.

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

 A study published January 2012 by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) says many adults with disabilities do not have regular daily activities. This lack of educational-vocational activity leads to larger problems, such as depression, poor health, and less close sibling relationships.   The study investigated nearly 800 participants; siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities completed a web-based survey. Results show that nearly 13 percent of these adults did not participate in daytime activities, and they typically had more health and emotional problems, were underserved by the service system, and had parents who were less able to provide care.    Researchers said these adults who did not have daily activities had three times the unmet needs as their peers who are working, volunteering, or attending school. These individuals are perhaps the most in need of formal support and activities, yet they are the ones not receiving care.    Additionally, the siblings of those individuals not participating in daily activities also had poorer mental and physical health, and their relationships with their disabled siblings were weaker.   When individuals with disabilities age out of the school system, where many of their needs are provided for, they typically either stay home or are placed in a community home. Many of these group homes are expensive or hard to get into, which makes it more difficult for families to provide long-term care for these adults.   Research such as this study shows...

What a grand sight​ to see as a marching band begins the procession of athletes from Mongolia, San Marino, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Tajikistan, all who are participating in this years Special Olympics World Games LA2015. The athletes were dressed in colorful sports uniforms, displaying a banner that said the different countries names of which Thousand Oaks, California is hosting. SpecialNeeds.com was invited to their "Community BBQ" to enjoy the one of many festivities surrounding the world games that will be going on from now until closing ceremonies August 2nd , Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Each Host Town is showing on outpouring of volunteerism at its finest. Everyone we encountered was welcoming and warm, with plenty of hugs and smiles to go around the earth several times over! Mayor ​ Pro Tem,​ Joel Price announced the athletes as they entered the picnic area of the beautiful Conejo Valley Park. The Mayor Pro Tem is the reason that Thousand Oaks is a host city. When he found out that the Special Olympics World Games was coming to Los Angeles he made it his mission to get his town to participate in anyway they could, and what a great job they are doing housing and entertaining the athletes.​ ​T​ he wonderful cheerleaders, known locally as the "Sparkles," did a great...

LA2015 Special Olympics World Games kick off in SoCal with global athletes, community events, and a spirit of volunteerism and inclusion.

LA2015 Is Here! Southern California is Celebrating Special Needs Athletes From Around the Globe

  What a grand sight​  to see as a marching band begins the procession of athletes from Mongolia, San Marino, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Tajikistan, all who are participating in this years Special Olympics World Games LA2015. The athletes were dressed in colorful sports uniforms, displaying a banner that said the different countries names of which Thousand Oaks, California is hosting.  SpecialNeeds.com  was invited to their "Community BBQ" to enjoy the one of many festivities surrounding the world games that will be going on from now until closing ceremonies August 2nd   , Sunday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Each Host Town is showing on outpouring of volunteerism at its finest. Everyone we encountered was welcoming and warm, with plenty of hugs and smiles to go around the earth several times over!          Mayor ​ Pro Tem,​  Joel Price announced the athletes as they  entered the picnic area of the beautiful Conejo Valley Park. The Mayor Pro Tem is the reason that Thousand Oaks is a host city. When he found out that the Special Olympics World Games was coming to Los Angeles he made it his mission to get his town to participate in anyway they could, and what a great job they are doing housing and entertaining the athletes.​          ​T​ he wonderful cheerleaders, known locally as the "Sparkles," did a great...

LA2015 Special Olympics World Games kick off in SoCal with global athletes, community events, and a spirit of volunteerism and inclusion.

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Special Needs
Articles

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

Calabasas Hosting Great Britain Athletes for the Special Olympic World Games

100 Days until we meet our Real Heroes

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

LA2015 Is Here! Southern California is Celebrating Special Needs Athletes From Around the Globe

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Board Games That Build Skills: A Parent's Guide to Therapeutic Tabletop Play

Calabasas Hosting Great Britain Athletes for the Special Olympic World Games

100 Days until we meet our Real Heroes

Study: No Daily Activities for Adults with Disabilities

LA2015 Is Here! Southern California is Celebrating Special Needs Athletes From Around the Globe

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles