Fun For Everyone: DSRF’s Recreational Programs
Reprinted from 3.21: Canada’s Down Syndrome Magazine (Issue #22: The Recreation Issue). Click here to download the full magazine.
Fun comes in countless flavours. Some love the arts, some love sports – and some love both of these and more!
At the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation, we recognize the learning potential of all sorts of leisure activities. Over time, we have developed a full suite of recreational programs for teens and adults with Down syndrome: the artsy ones, the sporty ones, and everyone in between.
Below is an overview of some of these programs and the benefits of each activity for people with Down syndrome. If a similar program isn’t available in your area, perhaps you can be the one to get the ball rolling!
Improv
Many people with Down syndrome are born performers. At DSRF’s Let’s InterACT: An Integrated Improv Ensemble, they get the chance to be in the spotlight – generally with hilarious results. Program creator, speech therapist Liv Meriano, tells us why she started this program.
Being an improviser myself, I found it beneficial for me as a disabled person, to feel confident in my own skin and accepted. It was incredibly important for me in my youth to have a safe and supportive outlet for expressing myself and it was rewarding that some of the traits I had – impulsiveness, creativity, attending to everything – were seen as strengths in that arena. That’s huge to a kid who isn’t made to feel confident in their abilities outside of the stage. I was instantly hooked!
I also saw my older sister go through the system, with few to no programs offered once she and her friends entered adulthood. It made me think, what could I do? What could I offer adults with disabilities? And it hit me – IMPROV!
I got all my improv friends to come out and reached out to Community Living where I lived. We met every week in the hockey arena and “jammed.” That’s when we created “The Improv All Stars” – an inclusive improv troop. That was in 2011, and I’ve facilitated variations of this program ever since.
I saw great impact in those who participated. Families would often share with us, “I don’t even recognize them!” or, “Wow, I’ve never heard them make a joke before!” or, “This has allowed them to come out of their shell!” So much so, that I went on to study the benefits of improv in my undergraduate and master’s research.
The first step in adapting activities for people with Down syndrome is believing and knowing that everything can in fact be adapted or modified to meet the needs of your participants. In my improv classes, we use a lot of visuals – written words on a board, gestures, props, and pictures to supplement understanding and support memory. We break things down into steps as participants are learning new games and class expectations.
We also get to know the participants. We think about their strengths and put them in roles or play games that will make those skills shine. We learn about each other’s interests and incorporate those into our rehearsals and scene work. The constant question in my head is, “How can everyone best participate?” and “What can I do to support them?”
Improv provides many benefits to people with Down syndrome. First off, you get to be your authentic self. Improv is built on the idea of acceptance. The #1 rule is to always say “yes!” This type of “yes and” attitude encourages people to share, listen to one another, and build on each other’s ideas, and creates an atmosphere of collaboration and teamwork.
Something we always say at improv is, “There are no mistakes!” Creating this feeling of safety and trust from the beginning encourages people to take risks and try new things, knowing that we’re all in this together.
I believe these types of exercises and player guidelines help people in and outside of improv – in their interactions with others and how they approach things they inevitably can’t predict. But I think the strongest benefit of all is the instant feedback from your peers. There’s nothing like making people laugh! It’s inherently rewarding and one of my favourite parts of improv is seeing people connect with their inner child, making themselves laugh, making others laugh and finding the time to “play” as adults again. We don’t do that enough!
Christopher Weber never passes up the opportunity to take centre stage. He tells us his favourite things about improve are “having fun, playing brain games, and using my imagination.” He loves pretending to be other people, and his favourite game is Captain’s Orders. Asked what he’s learned through improv, Christopher says, “Listening, taking turns, working with others, using my imagination, and new theatre games.”
Photography
People with Down syndrome have a unique perspective on the world. What better way to showcase it than through the art of photography?
At DSRF, teens and adults hone their skills at the Sharpshooters Photography Club, run by occupational therapist Hina Mahmood – who also has a side business as a talented photographer. Below, Hina shares her approach to teaching students with Down syndrome and the benefits they accrue through this rewarding hobby.
I am an avid photographer with a small photography business, and I love to share my passion with others. I was given an opportunity to run a summer photography camp during the DSRF Summer Program and had so much interest from students that a monthly meet up group to practice our skills was the next step.
The aim of Sharpshooters is to learn and develop digital photography skills in a fun and creative environment, and to empower individuals with Down syndrome to express themselves and tell their stories through photography. As students with Down syndrome are strong visual learners and tend to gravitate towards the visual media arts, photography is a great way for them to communicate their feelings, vision, and thoughts through a medium that is an absolute strength.
I realized early on that it is important to let students use whichever equipment they feel most comfortable with – whether it’s a digital camera, point and shoot, iPhone or iPad. Letting them select their equipment increases the chances that they will use it independently.
We use a lot of visual examples of photography, working on basic skills and reviewing them every session. I encourage students to offer up ideas and focus on taking photos of things that interest them the most. For example, for World Down Syndrome Day 2024, the students came up with the concept of highlighting the “lucky few” symbol on their hands coupled with self-portraits, and we created a whole exhibit around that. They really shine when they are provided with creative freedom.
Tiana Kirkegaard is one of the Sharpshooters, and we asked her to share her thoughts on the program.
I enjoy so many things at the Sharpshooters Photography Club! I love the lessons as a student photographer who wants to get better at my photography skills. It has become one of my favorite hobbies because I make memories when I take a picture, and I treasure the photos I take.
It’s fun to explore angles, and different lighting. I also love making new friends because we get to know each other in the classes.
I really loved the photo shoot like the portraits we did. And I love to show and share my photos in the exhibit which was displayed at DSRF and the Luppolo brewery. It was fun to invite family and friends and to see my fellow photographers’ hard work.
I’ve learned so many things. First, I learned about the camera and about taking pictures. I practiced the skill of holding a camera very still and steady so I can focus and then go from one thing to another. I also learned about moving my body to zoom in and out. I learned so much about doing different kinds of angles when I take pictures.
I also learned about taking pictures in different lighting and doing portraits. I learned I had to take responsibility to get consent/permission first before taking a picture of someone. I learned to look at the surroundings around me and to be aware of the people I take pictures of.
Strength + Conditioning Training
In the summer of 2024, DSRF ran a 1-week strength and conditioning training program for the first time. It was such a hit, we turned it into a year-round program. Each week, young adults with Down syndrome gather together to flex their muscles and work out with Team Rambo, led by Tony Gallo. Here’s Tony to pump you up.
Team Rambo wants to fill people’s hearts with our love for fitness. My cousin Fred had Down syndrome, and we played a lot together growing up, creating memories that are in my heart forever. Though we hadn’t stayed in close touch through the years, Fred was my inspiration to start this class. And then one day, Fred and his family were looking at the DSRF website; they saw my name and our program and signed up! So, we actually reconnected through this program.
Exercise is the most important medication there is. Team Rambo’s program consists of a full body strength workout along with cardio and core flexibility – all backed by fun music and supportive coaching. We start as friends and become family – that is team Rambo’s motto.
Teaching people with Down syndrome is just like any fitness class: it’s about learning each individual’s mental and physical strengths. If it’s the first class with new people, I slightly modify the class, so no one ever feels left out. If some are a little more advanced than others, that’s no problem. I’ve got Rambo Jr. with me, so one of us can get the more advanced students going while the other spends time individually with those who need more assistance and positive motivation.
For people with Down syndrome, exercise can help to improve physical health and fitness. Exercise can help to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance, and it can also help to reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
In addition to its physical benefits, exercise can positively impact cognitive functioning in people with Down syndrome. Physical activity has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, improving cognitive performance and enhancing learning and memory. Exercise can also help reduce stress and improve mood, which can be beneficial for people with Down syndrome who may be prone to anxiety and mood disturbances.
Another important benefit of exercise for people with Down syndrome is that it can promote social interactions and confidence. Many people with Down syndrome struggle with social interactions and may have difficulty engaging in activities with others. Exercise can provide a fun and engaging way for people with Down syndrome to interact with others and develop social skills.
Exercise can also provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem in people with Down syndrome. By setting goals and achieving them through regular physical activity, people feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.
David Shuttleworth has been an enthusiastic participant since DSRF’s strength and conditioning program began – so much so that he now works out regularly with Tony at his studio. He tells us:
I enjoy the strength training program because I like my instructor Tony Gallo. I think he is cool and we have fun together. Tony has taught me how to use new equipment and to do the exercises properly. My favourite exercises are biking, core, lifting weights and squats.
Yoga
Sometimes, we all just need to chill out. Yoga has become increasingly popular among the general population, and people with Down syndrome are no different. In fact, it’s such a popular activity that DSRF now hosts not just one class, but two. Virginia Paquete shares her philosophy in working with teens and adults who have Down syndrome.
When I learned that people with Down syndrome often live with pain, I thought that a gentle yoga practice may provide some relief.
I am a believer in gentle teaching approach to yoga, cultivating compassionate awareness of what is happening in one’s own body in the moment, and offering choices in everything we do in class. Also, safety and inclusivity is important and always considered.
People with Down syndrome receive the same benefits from yoga that others do. This includes developing body awareness, improving balance and coordination, and developing concentration and memory. Yoga can provide temporary pain relief, and it helps reduce anxiety. It also helps to develop discipline and improve self-esteem.
When leading people with Down syndrome, I allow more time for transition between postures. I use clear cuing language, along with physical demonstration of each posture. I cue body awareness and ask questions like, “How does this posture feel in your body?”
Props such as yoga blocks and chairs are helpful. Students can take breaks anytime during class; most choose the back play area or laying down on their mat. But the best part is a dance break halfway through the class. Students get a turn choosing the song we use for our little dance party.
Music
Music is a common passion among many people with Down syndrome – so much so that it’s often incorporated into non-music programs at DSRF, as Virginia mentioned. Dance breaks are also a daily occurrence in our math and reading classes, among others!
So, it was only natural to start some programs to cater to this love of music and movement. Enter Lizzie Carolan, a speech therapist and gifted musician. Under her leadership, DSRF now offers three different music programs at various times of the year: Rock Camp, Songwriters Studio, and Karaoke Club. Lizzie shares more about these programs and the benefits of music for people with Down syndrome.
I was inspired after seeing the passion and talent so many students at DSRF have for music! I saw an opportunity to share my love for music, while providing a space for students to showcase their musical abilities, build on their skills, and form meaningful social connections through music.
Our musical programs are all designed with individuals with Down syndrome in mind. First, I send out a social story with details about the program at least a week in advance to ensure that everyone feels prepared. I use visual schedules that I review at the beginning of each session and reference throughout, helping students know what to expect and reducing uncertainty. These strategies help everyone feel supported and engaged right from the start. I also make sure to include a performance element at the end of each program, as I find so many students love to showcase their work this way. I am always amazed at how students learn or write songs and then perform them, all in just a few days. There is a lot of musical talent in the Down syndrome community!
I see students’ self-confidence blossom as they go through the process of learning or creating something new and then proudly sharing it with others. I also see students’ problem-solving and perspective-taking skills develop as we talk about sharing instruments, taking turns, and making sure everyone feels good in a group together. But, my favorite part of these programs are the meaningful social connections that come from experiencing music together, allowing students to bond in a way that transcends language. I hope these programs also show other musicians and educators out there that individuals with Down syndrome can learn music and are equally deserving of access to music education and recreational programs.
Multi-time rock camper Becca Hoos looks forward all year to the summer program. Her favourite part is rock star day, when she can let loose with her most outlandish styles. She also loves the end-of-camp concert performance and showing off the video to everyone who visits her family’s home.