Neurodiverse or physically challenged are at an elevated risk of suffering from isolation and stress-related illnesses. Gardening is a good solution since it benefits physical, cognitive, and emotional health. Jill shows how beginners can start gardening, from the smallest pot of flowers to a large, flourishing plot of land. She describes why gardening is critical to everyone’s health and provides step-by-step instructions on creating a garden. She also reviews specific activities, ways to adapt projects to accommodate special needs, and benefits gained from these tasks. Finally, Jill includes recent findings on the health benefits of gardening.

Jill Mays is the author of Your Child’s Motor Development Story, highlighting the critical importance of sensory exploration and natural play for healthy development. An occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration for many years, she has conducted workshops in various settings and provided consultation to parents, educators and health care providers. For the past ten years, she has immersed herself in gardening, working with farmers and assisting in developing children’s garden programs. She developed and currently leads a garden group for special needs adults. Jill lives with her husband, Eric, their Portuguese Water Dog, and a flock of chickens at the far end of Cape Cod.

 Talking Back interview: https://womr.org/podcast/gardening-for-special-needs-with-guest-jill-mays-ot-author/