As humans, exercise is kind of important. You can see a lot of advertisements by giant sports companies about the importance of getting things done, "13.1" half-marathon accomplishment stickers on the backs of cars, and devices that track our daily movement. Exercise, to us as human beings, is pretty important.
For individuals with special needs and disabilities, exercise can be a bit of a unique challenge. Certainly, they are oftentimes able to exercise in their own ways. For many individuals with special needs, adaptive tricycles are the way to go.
Adaptive bikes and trikes are inclusive
Remember those bike rides when you were a kid, zooming around the block with your neighbors? Bikes are such a fun, simplistic, and joyous thing, and including everyone on bike rides with the neighbors or with the family is one of the best ways to help individuals with special needs socialize.
The fun thing about inclusion is that, when everyone is included, everyone wins.
Adaptive bicycles and tricles are therapeutic
Bicycles can encourage hand-eye coordination, hand and feet strength, and overall strength of those that use it. Exercise can be good for strength building and cardio, both of which can really help with overall health.
Being outside and riding over smooth, paved road or gravel can provide sensory input for the kiddo. The pedals and handlebars can give proprioceptive input and allow them to have a better understanding of their environment.
Cycling encourages independence
Allowing your kiddo to get themselves onto their adaptive bike, ride their adaptive bike, and then get off of it can encourage so much independence and confidence in them. The process can help them, from start to finish, understand their own autonomous independence, as well as genuinely give them the confidence boost of did it!"
Moving forward
Adaptive exercise equipment for individuals with special needs can have a multitude of benefits for just about everyone. That being said, while these tips may work for some, they might not work for everyone. And that's okay.
