Identification

• People with mental disabilities might not act the way that is considered normal for adults of their chronological age. Because of this, it may be difficult to figure out what appropriate activities to plan. Regardless of their mental age, three major categories of activities should be considered. These activities should involve daily-living skills, recreational skills, and vocational skills. Having a balance of activities in these three categories will provide for well-rounded experiences throughout these people's lifetimes.
  
  

Daily-Living Activities

• Daily-living skills are involved in any activity that is done to take care of the individual or household. Hygiene, cooking, laundry, and cleaning all fall under this category. These activities should assist an individual in meeting their daily needs, while also providing them the ability to make choices about their living conditions. An example of this type of activity would be a person with mental disabilities making their own lunch. Although some instruction might be needed, it is important for the individual to have the opportunity to decide what they want to eat and when. Other activities might include making a budget and grocery shopping.
  
  

Recreational Activities

• Every adult needs time to have fun and relax. Adults with mental disabilities are not any different. Activities should be chosen with the input of the person with mental disabilities, and be based on their likes and interests. Some examples of leisurely activities are swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, seeing movies, and going to a concert. There are many possibilities out there, and some communities might offer opportunities specific to people with mental disabilities.
  
  

Vocational Activities

• When possible, most adults would like to earn some kind of income so that they can be more independent. Vocational activities can be part of having a job or simply working on the skills that would be needed in order to keep a job. Some individuals will enjoy vocational activities that involve interacting with people, while others might be more comfortable working away from people and focusing on a specific task. Some examples might be cleaning hotel rooms, greeting people as they enter a store, or stocking shelves.
  
  

Considerations

• When planning activities for adults with disabilities, it is important to keep the individual in mind. Their likes and dislikes should be the deciding factor in what is a good activity. In order to make sure the individual is successful in what they will be doing, things like family values and physical abilities should be considered along with the support that will be available. By really understanding who the person is and making sure resources are available, proper adult activities can be planned to provide a positive quality of life for a person with mental disabilities.