I know I've been totally guilty of sometimes thinking for my special needs kids "oh they can't do that!" I was given this list of heavy job tasks by an OT, but I think these tasks help OT, PT, and focusing tasks, depending on the kid. Two of my girls use these tasks as means to get refocused/ for my OT/ PT goals to work with them (don't be intimidated by these, even if you have to do these tasks hand over hand they are worth the effort, they get therapy and learn work ethic through these tasks). Do make sure they are age appropriate though ;-) Here's the list:
Jobs & Chores [inside]...
* Bring groceries in from the car. Put them away, including low cupboards where he needs
to be on hands and knees.
* Take cushions off the sofas, vacuum under them, then put them back
* Mop or sweep the kitchen floor
* Scrub rough surfaces with a brush
* Wash off kitchen/ dining room table and/ or counters with rag
* Help dust furniture (this one is one of my kids fav's b/c they get to use the swifer).
* Clean the windows or from of appliances (spray bottles are great for hand muscles!)
* Carry laundry basket to room and put away clean clothes
* Change sheets on the bed, and put them in dirty laundry basket
* Rearrange bedroom furniture
Jobs & Chores [outside]...
* Sweep porch or driveway
* Do yard work (rake leaves, pull weeds, mow the lawn)
* Shovel sand/ dirt into wheelbarrow, wheel the wheelbarrow to a spot, dump out sand/ dirt and
use rake to level out (good for filling low spots in yard)
* Carry buckets to water flowers, plants, trees.
* Recycle (carry box of bans or newspapers to curb)
* Pull heavy trashcan
* Stack patio chairs
* Wash the car (another of my kids' favs)
* Bathe the dog
* Perform wood projects requiring sanding & hammering
Play time [inside]...
* Push or pull a box with toys or a few books in it
* Play cars under the kitchen table or make shift tent where your child is on hands and knees
pushing car with one hand while weight bearing on the other hand.
* Play "row, row, row your boat" both sitting on the floor, pushing and pulling each other
* Play "magic carpet" (pull someone on a sheet, blanket, small rug or in a box)
* Bounce on a mini trampoline or on bouncy hop ball
* Climb on pillows, hide under them, jump and crash into them.
* Have a pillow fight
* Fall into a bean bag chair
* Do army crawl, crab walk, bear walk.
Play time [outside]...
* Fill up big toy trucks with heavy blocks, push with both hands to knock things down
* Play in sandbox/ at the beach with damp, heavy sand
* Color a with sidewalk chalk on hands and knees
* Play hopscotch
* Play catch with a heavy ball
* Play tug of war with a jump rope
* Roll or sled down hill
* Swing from monkey bars and play/ climb on playground equipment
* Participate in gymnastics, horseback riding, karate, dance, wall climbing.
* Ride a bike/ scooter
* Play tag, baseball, basketball, volleyball
Transitions:
* Push/ pull heavy doors with both hands
* When traveling, let child pull own suitcase on wheels
Meal time:
* Mix and kneed cookie dough
* Help book w/ an onion chopper (my kids love this)
* Push or pull tables in/ out from table
* Sip applesauce or thick milkshake through a straw.
Homework time:
* Chew gum, eat chewy foods, or crunchy food, or sip water from water bottle with thin straw
* Push again the wall
* Weighted lap belt/ weighted pencil
Bath time:
* After bath, rub child briskly with large towel, firmly squeezing muscles. He can help fold
towel when done. Rub with lotion too if he likes.
Bed time:
* Help fold heavy quilt
* Wear tight flannel or soft snug pajamas
* Go "camping" with heavy blanket pulled across a few chairs. Your child can help set up and take
down the blanket
* Change the sheets on the bed
