Empowering Adults with Disabilities
Joining our Adult Empowerment Program offers a unique opportunity for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to not only have fun, but to learn critical life skills in an experiential, hands on farm environment.
Each week, participants come to the farm in groups of 3-4 people for 1-2 hours, to spend time with our horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, our pet pig Sassy and more. During this time, participants learn how to groom the horses, clean the donkey pen, fetch chicken eggs, harvest vegetables in our Community Garden, hold baby goats and in the process, learn transferable life skills. When working with horses in particular, participants receive immediate feedback, similar to the busy motions of the ‘real’ world.
Here at Fox Moon Farm, learning life skills is just part of the work we do. Building community and helping clients develop confidence, a sense of belonging and purpose is just as important. Our clients learn that actions matter and contributions are meaningful and promote self-worth, self-advocacy, self-discovery and a sense of dignity.
Guided by participant’s unique interests, our fun and interactive program helps clients develop everyday life skills, while fostering engagement and teamwork!
During each session, we teach essential behavioral, intellectual, and interpersonal skills needed to live a fulfilling and productive life, regardless of ability level. Often referred to as psychosocial skills, they can be categorized into three main groups:
- Emotional Skills: These involve self-awareness, managing emotions appropriately, and showing empathy.
- Social Skills: These focus on effective communication, building healthy relationships, and interacting successfully with others.
- Thinking Skills: These encompass problem-solving, openness to learning, and creative thinking.
Developing these skills can enhance connections with others and lead to a more satisfying life.
Benefits
– Build social skills
Interacting with horses provides opportunities to tune into subtle social cues, which are crucial in everyday interactions. Horses communicate through body language, helping individuals with IDD learn to read non-verbal signals more effectively. Additionally, horses are sensitive to human emotions, and provide immediate feedback, helping participants learn cause and effect.
– Problem solving
Participants face real-life situations while working with our animals, which require in-the moment thinking and creative problem-solving, enhancing their ability to navigate similar unexpected challenges in daily life.
– Teamwork and collaboration Working together on farm projects fosters teamwork-encouraging the group to communicate effectively, share responsibilities and rely on one another.
– Physical experiences
Working with horses and in nature fosters physical activity, coordination and motor skill development. The ever-changing environment of nature provides opportunities for exposure to different sensory experiences!
– And more!
Book an Adult Empowerment Session!
If you would like to learn more about our IDD group-based programming, please fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible!