A Sweet Way to Build Skills

National Ice Cream Day (July 19) can serve as an opportunity to support skill development, independence, and positive sensory experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

At Boundless, everyday activities are often the most meaningful when they are approached with intention. With the right supports in place, something as simple as ice cream can become a structured and purposeful experience that aligns with therapeutic goals.

Using Everyday Activities to Support Development

Daily routines and familiar experiences are important contexts for learning. Activities like preparing or purchasing ice cream naturally incorporate opportunities to practice a range of functional and social skills.

These may include:

• Making choices between options
• Communicating preferences or requests
• Practicing turn-taking and patience
• Following multi-step directions
• Engaging in social interaction in a low-pressure setting

Because the activity is familiar and motivating, it can increase engagement while reducing resistance or anxiety.

Supporting Sensory Regulation

Ice cream provides a multi-sensory experience that can be used to support sensory exploration and tolerance.

Key sensory inputs include:

• Temperature (cold)
• Texture (smooth, creamy, or varied with toppings)
• Taste (sweet, familiar flavors such as chocolate)

For some individuals, these inputs can be calming or regulating. For others, they may require gradual exposure. Adjusting the experience based on individual sensory profiles is essential.

Support strategies may include:

• Offering small amounts to reduce overwhelm
• Introducing new textures gradually
• Pairing new experiences with familiar and preferred items
• Allowing individuals to control pacing

National Ice Cream Day can also be structured to align with specific developmental or therapeutic goals.

Choice-Making and Communication

Providing a limited set of options, such as flavors or toppings, encourages decision-making and self-advocacy. Individuals can practice expressing preferences verbally, through gestures, or with communication supports.

Daily Living and Independence Skills

Preparing ice cream at home or ordering in the community can support:

• Sequencing tasks
• Using utensils and materials
• Handling payment or exchanging items
• Navigating simple community interactions

These functional skills are directly transferable to everyday life.

Social Interaction

Shared activities create natural opportunities for social engagement. Individuals can practice:

• Initiating or responding to conversation
• Participating in group settings
• Observing social cues in a relaxed environment

Because the setting is informal, expectations can be adjusted to meet each individual’s needs.

Creating a Structured but Flexible Experience

While spontaneity can be enjoyable, many individuals with I/DD benefit from predictability and clear expectations.

To support success:

• Provide a clear outline of the activity in advance
• Use visual supports or schedules if helpful
• Keep the number of choices manageable
• Allow for breaks or opt-out options
• Maintain a consistent routine when possible

Balancing structure with flexibility allows individuals to participate in a way that feels comfortable and safe.

A Small Activity with Meaningful Impact

At Boundless, these types of everyday experiences are recognized as valuable opportunities for growth. By embedding skill-building into familiar and enjoyable activities, individuals can develop confidence and independence in ways that feel natural and engaging.

Even a simple moment like enjoying ice cream can contribute to long-term development when it is grounded in support, choice, and inclusion.