Children with disabilities offered places to feel at ease in quake-hit Kumamoto

Kumamoto Prefecture is taking steps to ensure children with developmental and intellectual disabilities have a safe and calming space to spend their days during and after the recent 7.1-magnitude earthquake. Such children are often sensitive to changes in their environment and may find it challenging to regulate their emotions.

Facilities they typically attend, such as after-school programs and special-needs schools, have started providing daytime spaces for these children. At Asobi Studio Uki, an after-school daycare service, students were seen relaxing on balance balls, having their hair tied, and participating in ball-toss games. About 40 children, including those with disabilities, have been attending the facility since before the quake to learn social skills through sports activities.

Headmaster Toshihiro Hara of Asobi Studio Uki noted that some children have become more hyperactive and have trouble sleeping since the earthquake. He pointed out that mental struggles may not always be visible and can be difficult to address.

In response to the earthquake, Yatsushiro Special Needs School has opened a daytime care space for elementary, junior high, and high school students with intellectual and other disabilities. University student volunteers help the children engage in activities like playing handmade musical instruments and rhythm exercises.

The need for such a space becomes particularly pressing for parents who are grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, as they struggle with work, cleaning up their homes, and finding safe places for their children with disabilities. A 50-year-old mother who visited the daytime care space with her high school-aged son said she appreciates the opportunity for her son to have fun and spend time in a safe environment.