ZODIAC ARTS SPORTS 4 ALL

Advance your CPD and gain essential skills to confidently support individuals with special needs, the frail elderly and senior citizens with mobility challenges.

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Whether you’re a professional or an unpaid carer, this programme offers practical, adaptable techniques and a holistic approach to care, empowering you to create meaningful and lasting impact.

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Course Overview

Set yourself apart with the Adaptive Body Dynamics course an innovative program that equips participants with practical tools to foster inclusion and adaptability in sports and recreational settings.
 

This hands-on course is tailored to support individuals with special needs and mobility challenges, focusing on experiential learning to enhance physical and mental engagement. Designed to empower carers, support workers, and professionals, the course strengthens your skills, builds confidence, and aligns with modern well-being initiatives. No prior sports or recreation experience is required just a passion for making a difference.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

1. Improve motor skills, physical fitness, and functional abilities.

2. Understand how to adapt sports and recreational activities to meet clients' individual needs.

3. Develop observational strategies to modify activities and equipment.

4. Acquire practical skills for creating engaging, adaptive experiences for clients with special needs

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Key Competencies Covered

• Skills Development: Modifying activities and equipment to suit clients’ physical and cognitive abilities.

• Training in Adaptive Techniques: Proficiency in adapting mainstream sports for special needs.

• Knowledge Expansion: A comprehensive understanding of improving recreational activities for individuals with diverse abilities.
   

Experiential Learning Approach

The course utilises experiential learning, allowing participants to learn by observing, interacting, and applying techniques in real-world scenarios.       

   This method includes:

1. Goal Setting: Setting personalised objectives for each client.

2. Experimenting and Observing: Applying adaptive techniques and modifying based on client feedback.

3. Reviewing: Reflecting on successes and challenges to refine methods.

4. Action Planning: Developing tailored strategies for future activities based on client progress.
    

Course Structure

1. Introduction
   Overview of experiential learning techniques and the importance of client-carer interaction.

2. Core Content

   • Adapting Activities: Modifying sports and equipment based on clients' needs.

   • Observing Client Engagement: Identifying suitable activities and tools.

   • Health and Safety Protocols: Special focus on wheelchair pushers, support workers, and carers.

   • Short Activity Sessions: Techniques for running adaptable 3–5-minute activities that can be scaled according to client progress and attention.

3. Practical Experience
   Hands-on sessions with a toolkit of adaptive ideas for mainstream sports centres and everyday environments. Participants practice creating activities using everyday objects, emphasizing safety and client engagement.

4. Unique Course Benefits

   • Focuses on special needs awareness and interaction, with insights into managing challenges like hygiene, self-harm, and incontinence.

   • Prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of carers, support workers, and parents.

   • Provides practical tips on adapting everyday objects to promote client engagement.

 

The Adaptive Exercise Design assessment:
With each component weighted to reflect its importance in demonstrating practical skills and comprehension of course objectives.

It assesses a wide range of skills application, creativity, problem-solving, communication, and safety awareness.

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Here’s a suggested breakdown for the score:

This distribution highlights the importance of clear explanations and risk awareness, which are essential for safe and effective adaptive practices.
 

Risk Assessment: Additionally, conduct a risk assessment for different environments (e.g., private gyms, outdoor spaces, and personal spaces at home or work) to ensure safety in adaptive activities.

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Considerations:

• Think about how each exercise is suited to your client’s specific needs.

• Ensure that all modifications are safe and practical, and provide clear instructions for someone else to recreate them.

• Always get documented consent before taking Photos or VOD images, for publicity and sharing with family and other agencies and professionals.

• Always pre book appointments and confirm the visit or cancellations in advance.

• Evidence, based on up to  date case history of each induvial client before doing any form of exercise find out what you can or cannot do with a client.

• Always get GP consent from client when needed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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​Beanbag Activity Examples and modifications

An Example of what you can try out and the Beaty of using a beanbag rather than a ball is that a beanbag doesn't roll away.

Activity: Using beanbags as an adaptable tool for clients with limited motor skills, disabilities, or learning difficulties.

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1. Aims for the Carer (or Professional):

   • To provide a safe, engaging, and inclusive activity that is easy to implement and adapt.

   • To encourage non-sporting individuals, such as support workers, carers, or teachers, to adopt proactive approaches to physical and recreational engagement.

   • To focus on the client’s well-being through simple, accessible activities that promote interaction, confidence, and enjoyment.

   • To foster a mindset of creativity and participation, helping professionals move beyond passive support roles to actively engage their clients.

2. Aims for the Client:

   • To improve motor skills, coordination, and sensory awareness in a supportive environment.

   • To increase confidence and independence through interactive tasks.

   • To benefit from physical and mental stimulation that promotes overall well-being.
      

3. Exercise Instructions:

   • Place beanbags of 3-4 different colours within easy reach of the client.

   • Colour Recognition: Utilise beanbags in three or  more  different colours.               You can call out a colour and prompt the individual to nod, reach, or touch the corresponding beanbag.                                                                                            This activity supports body awareness by teaching right-hand and left-hand coordination

     • Reach and touch the beanbag.

     • Throw it into a bucket or target.

     • Hold it in one or both hands.

     • Catch: Encourage the individual to catch the beanbag using either hand.

   • Adjust the difficulty by changing the client’s position (e.g., sitting or standing) or altering the distance to the target.
      

4. Benefits for the Carer and Client

   • Carer/Non-Sporting Professional:

     • Gain confidence in leading proactive, recreational activities without requiring prior experience in sports.

     • Learn simple, adaptable techniques that enhance the client’s well-being.

     • Build rapport and a sense of achievement by engaging in meaningful, interactive exercises.

   • Client:

     • Develop physical and cognitive skills in a fun, low-pressure setting.

     • Feel supported and motivated by an actively engaged carer or professional.

     • Enjoy a sense of accomplishment through achievable and tailored activities.

     • By integrating these techniques, can create proactive, engaging, and inclusive experiences for individuals with varying abilities.
        

​Health and Safety Reminder:

• Always ensure health and safety measures are in place before beginning exercises.

• Obtain GP referrals or consent where applicable, especially for participants with medical conditions or disabilities.

Examples of Adaptations:

• Use beanbags with textured surfaces for sensory input.

• Place beanbags on a tray or table for easier access.

• Add auditory cues (e.g., a bell inside the beanbag) for clients with visual impairments.

 

Student Activity:

• Identify different ways to adapt the beanbag activity for clients in your environment using everyday items.

• Share examples during a follow-up session or in an online discussion forum.

Environment-Based Adaptation

What items from your environment (home, community or workplace) could be used to adapt this activity?

​Examples:

• Household items like soft cushions, small pillows, or weighted bags.

• Affordable tools from stores like Poundland (e.g., colourful sponges, lightweight buckets).

• DIY adaptations such as filling socks with rice or beans for an improvised beanbag.

 

Reflection and Knowledge Sharing

How many different ways can you make the beanbag game into a useful tool for your client?

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Conclusion:    

The beanbag examples provided earlier serve as a practical foundation, guiding you toward successfully completing the final task in Module 11.                                                This is an opportunity to apply experiential learning by combining creative thinking with practical execution.

Use your drawings, pictures, or visual representations to demonstrate how adaptive exercises can address real-world challenges.                                                                    Through this process, you will not only showcase your creativity but also deepen your understanding of adaptive techniques and their transformative impact.                              Let this final step be a reflection of your innovation and commitment to inclusive practice.

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