Game-Changing Moments: Special Needs and the World of Sports

As parents and caregivers of special needs children, we've embarked on a journey to uncover the incredible talents and passions within our children. In our previous blog post, "Let them shine" we emphasized the importance of recognizing and fostering the unique abilities our children possess. Building on that foundation, this post aims to delve deeper into a specific area of interest that can bring joy and fulfillment to special needs children . . . Sports.

We chose to start with the world of sports since this area of interest has been a source of pure joy for my son. It started with his first word . . . "Ball". Ok, it was more like the "B" sound but we recognized that he was making that sound anytime he was holding or playing with a ball. As you can imagine, we were thrilled to see him make this connection and the excitement sparked something for him that has continued to be a source of enjoyment in so many ways. At the time, we were not aware of the opportunities that existed for him to participate in sports, but over the years our eyes have been opened to the endless possibilities.

I will always remember the smile on my son's face the first time he wore his Special Olympics jersey and realized that he was part of a real team just like his siblings. Because of moments like these, we are forever grateful for organizations like the Special Olympics, whose mission is to "provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community". We have been fortunate enough to experience the reality of this mission and hope to share the possibility of this joy with others.

Sports offerings for individuals with disabilities are diverse and inclusive, aiming to accommodate various needs and abilities. To introduce this area of potential interest, start small and let your child's interests guide you:

Read a book or show them the illustrations from books like My First Book of Basketball or inspire them with Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes. If they are asking to learn more, explore Adaptive Sports for the Disabled: Your Guide to Accessible Activities and Events . If trivia or guessing games are preferred, try Guess in 10 sports for hours of fun or even some Amazing Sports Trivia for the growing sports fan.

Explore with toys such soft balls like the nerf soft foam soccer ball or other foam sports toys. Another great option is the move 2 play talking learning balls that are interactive soft toys for multiple sports. When ready to move on to some more involved toys, try Toss & Catch or the Grow with me batting tee.

Cheer on a team by attending a local sporting event for a favorite team or even cheer on a family member or friend. If unable to go to a live event, watch one on tv or even listen to a podcast about one from the past. Sometimes just seeing the enthusiasm of others is enough to inspire someone. Another amazing way to connect is through organizations like Team Impact that matches children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. Find out more at https://www.teamimpact.org/

Try adaptive equipment like those available at the HANDI Life sports store with options that provide sport & fun for everyone and produces sporting equipment such as a running tether or sound ball for the visually impaired and equipment for boccia, which is considered one of the most widely inclusive sports. To explore further, check out equipment for an additional 20+ adaptive sports at https://moveunitedsport.org by using their site for ideas or to find a local retailer near you.

Join a team! Not only is this a great way to feel a sense of belonging, but also a way to try equipment without having to pay for it on your own and an opportunity to try different sports to see what works best.

Become a special Olympics athlete by signing up here or look into your local parks and rec program for opportunities. If they are not currently offering any type of unified or adaptive sport options, check out https://www.inclusionproject.org/ who has made it their mission to make the inclusion of children with disabilities the EXPECTATION, not the exception. They do this by working with community organizations and recreational programs, providing them with the training, tools, and support they need so that children with disabilities can be included in ALL of their activities and programs.

Outside of your town, you may find many additional local adaptive sports programs by checking out this list of adaptive sports organizations by state & country https://www.challengedathletes.org/adaptive-sport-organizations/

Diving into the world of sports for those with special needs has been nothing short of amazing. Seeing my son's face light up in his Special Olympics jersey was a game-changer. The Special Olympics mission—providing year-round sports fun for kids and adults with intellectual disabilities—is something we've personally lived and loved. So, let's keep it simple: read fun sports books, try out adaptive toys, cheer for a team, or get hands-on with adaptive equipment. Join a team and watch the magic unfold. This journey is all about finding joy in unexpected places and the sports world is full of surprises!

Remember, the focus is not on winning medals or trophies, but on the joy, fulfillment, and personal growth that sports can bring. Let's create a world where every child, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to experience the magic of sports. Together, we can make a difference!

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