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About Hikeabilities
Hikeabilities is an inclusive pediatric program in the Philadelphia area that provides neurodivergent children an opportunity to access and participate in hiking, outdoor exploration, and other related adventures. Led by a licensed occupational therapist, Hikeabilities is thoughtfully designed to support children’s physical, sensory, and social-emotional development in a fun and engaging way. Hikeabilities encourages a more active and socially connected lifestyle in a world where sedentary routines are becoming increasingly common.
Benefits of Hiking & Outdoor Exploration
What does the research say?
“improvement in cognitive function when physical activity was performed outdoors compared to indoors, despite no differences in perceived levels of enjoyment between the sessions”
(Walters, Dring, Williams, Needham, & Cooper, 2024)
Cognition
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Supports healthy cognitive development including improved attention
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Encourages creativity, imagination, and problem solving
Mental Health
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Lowers stress levels and reduces cortisol
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Boosts mood, self-worth, and self-motivation
“when exposed to nature children reported significantly higher self-worth and positive feelings than when not exposed to nature”
(Chen, Z., Orobio de Castro, B., & Liu, G., 2025)
Sensory Regulation
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Builds sensory tolerance
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Reduces sensory-related anxiety
“The novelty of the changing environment, experiences, and challenges requires alteration and modification to an individual’s arousal, therefore leading to further processing of sensory stimuli”
(Koch, L., 2019)
“the prevalence of being overweight was 27–41% lower in girls and boys who spent more time outdoors at the study baseline than those who spent less time outdoors”
(Cleland, et al., 2008)
Physical Health
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Increases physical activity and fitness
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Decreases the risk of obesity
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What Makes Hikeabilities Unique?
Outdoors
Hikeabilities encourages increased time spent outdoors. Your child gets to ditch screen time to enjoy adventurous play while engaging in the sensory experiences that nature has to offer.
Hiking
Hikeabilities offers an opportunity for your child to engage in hiking. They will build the skills necessary for tackling hiking trails of various difficulty levels based on their abilities.
OT
Hikeabilities is led by a licensed occupational therapist who has expertise in the targeted skill areas described below and can provide education on strategies and supports to promote carryover across settings.
Socialization
When kids are cooped up indoors, this decreases their time spent socializing with others. Hikeabilities strives to help children build social-emotional connections with others.
Who is Hikeabilities for?
Hikeabilities is for kids who need movement, connection, and room to be themselves. Designed with neurodivergent children in mind, our programs offer a welcoming outdoor space where children can explore, socialize, gain confidence, and experience success at their own pace — all while connecting with nature and having fun.
Still not sure if your child is the right fit?
Take a look at the questions below to get a better idea whether or not your child would benefit from participating in Hikeabilities.
Can you answer YES to any of the following? If so, Hikeabilities may be a good fit for your child.
Does your child have difficulty regulating emotional or sensory responses?
Is your child looking to gain confidence in new skills or in social interactions?
Does your child need help learning how to play cooperatively with peers?
Does your child show delays in development of motor skills?
Does your child need help learning how to plan, organize, or problem solve?
Does your child have trouble focusing or attending to tasks?
Is your child addicted to screen time or do they not spend enough time outdoors?
Or maybe they love playing outside and learn best in an outdoor environment?
Contact Hikeabilities
If you would like to contact Hikeabilities, please send a direct email to
hikeabilitiesot@gmail.com or by clicking the link below.
Regina is happy to connect and/or answer any questions you may have.