Fun at the mountain

We are still busy filling our days of spring break, today Dad took the older "able and interested" kids skiing and snowboarding.  It was a day of firsts for many - a couple are very confident skiers but decided to give snowboarding a shot.  They rented all the required gear and started the day with a group lesson.  I think the instructor may have realized he had his work cut out for him when he told them to put their boards on and they didn't have a clue how to do that.  After lessons they were set free on the mountain, according to them they did many flips, jumps and stunts unfortunately they were not planned ones.  They worked hard trying to master boarding and did get better throughout the day but do find skiing much easier.  The next morning they could not believe how sore their muscles were.  One was complaining she didn't know so many muscles were involved in swallowing and how can they be sore from boarding.

For another child it was the first time at the mountain and she learned to ski.  She was signed up for an all day ski/daycare program.  Watching from a distance it was evident that skiing was very difficult for her and with Developmental Coordination Disorder, FASD, ADHD and low muscle tone why wouldn't it be.  At the end of the day as Dad was waiting for her to return he had visions of the instructor carrying the skis and them both walking back or the first aid people bring her back but was extremely proud as she skied over the hill yelling "Dad I snow skied" and then falling at his feet.  If the teaching had been done by us both of us would be frustrated and the day probably wouldn't have been as successful.  With children with "special needs" it is helpful to consider the child and what may work best for them.  At the mountain they have group lessons, private lessons, daycare with lessons, adaptive skiing/snowboarding, tubing etc.  Use your knowledge of your child, talk with the staff at the mountain and have your child try a program.  If that program doesn't work then modify and then try again.

Also consider your needs do you need a respite break and can't find a provider or don't want to "send" the child away?  Would a daycare program or private lessons for your child give you a break?  Your child may be happy spending the day at the mountain and not present that after respite behavior.