Athletes with Disabilities - Relaxed Sports Parent

As a parent, you want your child to have opportunities to participate in any activity and sport they choose. For children who learn differently or have disabilities, the athletic options may seem limited.

Watching the Paralympics this past summer was enlightening for me. Seeing the athletes with disabilities show their strength and competitive grit was inspirational. I learned about adaptations, either technique based or physical accessories, available for elite athletes. I began to wonder – where do parents turn for information and opportunities for their children?

Involvement with Benefits

Figure skating has wonderful adaptive skater programs. The skaters have fun learning to skate and may test and compete if they choose. I have judged events on a recreational level. The coaches, judges and audience share the joy of the skaters when they finish their event. Everyone wins. Everyone is supported and applauded.

Baseball organizations throughout the country have Buddy Ball teams providing an experience for players of all abilities to connect in their community. Teams like the Glenview Blaze Buddy Ball program include children and young adults with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Baseball players who volunteer to be a part of the organizations enjoy an enriching experience, share the excitement of their game, and make new friendships.

In the Paralympics, it seemed nearly every sport had made adaptations for athletes who may have a disability or who learn differently. For children at an introductory level, adaptive sports programs offer instruction, events, and equipment at little or no cost to families.

Your local park districts may offer convenient programs suitable for athletes with disabilities. Perhaps your child will participate in programs with an assistant provided through special recreational associations. If your child enrolls in a class or joins a team without assistance, please share any information you are comfortable sharing with the coaches and trainers. There may be times when certain behavior changes or needs arise during a practice. As a parent, you have the best knowledge to contribute to the coaches so they can work most effectively with your child.

If possible, introduce your child to various athletic experiences. Relax with purely recreational programs. Encourage your child to find their inner competitor. Support and cheer for them throughout their journey. The mind and body benefits of sport involvement and exercise should be available for everyone.

Finding Information

When looking for an athletic program, reach out to other parents, your pediatrician or physical therapist, and your child’s school for suggestions. There are many resources online, and several are listed below as you begin your search. Click on a sport to be directed to a specific informational site.