Sports, whether for recreation or exercise, is a great activity for all kids. Being involved in sports develops camaraderie, self-esteem, sense of belonging and accomplishment as well as opportunities to develop friendships. Adaptive kids sports provides this opportunity. Kids with a physical disability or chronic condition should be encouraged and helped to play sports, despite the challenges. Nearly all sports have adaptations to make them accessible to disabled kids and the value to children just can’t be overstated.
Why Adaptive Kids Sports
Among the many physical benefits adaptive kids sports are improving:
- Cardiovascular endurance
- Muscular endurance
- Flexibility and coordination
Additionally, according to Mary Kate Morgan, PT, DPT, a therapist working with disabled youth at Larabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, “It’s important to build habits of being physically active because sometimes with kids with disabilities it gets even harder to be physically active as they get heavier and older and their tolerance to exercise can decrease, so encouraging it for the long run is important.”
Finding Adaptive Kids Sports Programs
Getting started on the search for an adaptive kids sports program for you child can be daunting. A good first step is to ask around. Other parents, doctors, teachers and therapists are a good place to start. When evaluating, be sure not just to learn about the program, but also about the director, instructors and coaches. You want to understand both how the program is run and what medical experience the staff has, in case of an emergency. Once you’ve found a program that you think is a good fit, watch a session yourself to see how it’s organized and take your child to a session to try it.
See What Kids Can Do
These videos showcase some of the amazing abilities of kids.
Kids Conquer Obstacles through Adaptive Sports (3:15)
Wheelchair Basketball a Slam Dunk for Kids with Disabilities (1:47)
Adaptive Tennis for Kids (1:02)
Kids Adaptive Bowling (1:32)
Seated Volleyball (2:14)
Handcycle Golden Gate Bridge (:10)
Directories of Adaptive Sports Programs for Kids
United Spinal Association’s Directory – includes more than 100 sources of wheelchair sports and recreation for kids.
Go to directory
Educated Spots Parent’s Directory – provides links to organizations that provide opportunities for kids to participate in adaptive sports.
Go to directory
Be Safe
Check with your child’s doctor, if you’re not sure if a particular activity is safe for them or should be modified in any way to accommodate them.
And, always be sure that your child has the right safety and protective gear when it’s recommended (e.g., helmets for handcycling, personal flotation device for paddle sports).
Additional Resources
Learn about para sports events to get an idea about what else is out there and to find some ways to participate.
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