If you are a parent or caregiver of an athlete with a disability, helping them pursue the sports they are interested in can be a daunting process, and it can be difficult to support young people with disabilities in traditional sports. You may want to avoid letting your child participate in sports. No program at all. However, youth sports are extremely beneficial to the development and well-being of young people, regardless of ability.
TrueSport expert and sports medicine physician Dr. Michele Labots offers some guidance for caregivers on how to approach sports when an aspiring athlete has a disability.
Why sports are important for all youth
“The value of sport in terms of the social integration it provides is unparalleled,” Rabots says. “In many cases, children with disabilities are unfortunately marginalized. However, being able to participate in team sports can be very helpful for social integration, as well as a sense of independence and development.” Involving certain children in appropriate levels of sport and physical activity has unique benefits for people in this region.”
It is also important for their continued health. In 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a report calling for increased participation in sports among youth with disabilities. In the report, they recommend that children with disabilities “participate in sports, recreation, and physical activities that best suit their preferences and abilities, with the help of pediatricians who can provide guidance, reassurance, and resources.” “They should be encouraged to do so.”
“Historically, families and health care providers alike have made the mistake of being cautious when discussing physical activity in children with disabilities, erroneously assuming that they are less able or at higher risk.” Rabots said. “But more recent data has reversed that. The abilities of many of these children, especially if they can be put into activities from an early age, are limited given some of their perceived limitations. , it can be amazing.”
Sports often also play a major role in social development. “There’s a community-building aspect to sports, and the more we can involve our peers in the process of supporting children with disabilities, the more we change social norms,” Rabots said. “Seeing children with disabilities active is important not only for them but also for their non-disabled peer group.”
Your role as a parent or caregiver is not to limit your young athlete. Rather, they should be able to help them navigate how to safely participate in the sports and activities they want to participate in. Obviously, each young athlete is an individual case, and Labotts points out that there is a wide range of athletes with different disabilities and activities. ability. Although there are no hard and fast rules about what sports athletes with disabilities can participate in in youth sports, here are some general tips to get you started.
1. Check the content of physical education classes
“Programs that receive federal funding in the United States must provide equal opportunity,” Rabots said. “For example, physical education classes are required to ensure that children with all types of disabilities have equal access to physical education. It is common for parents and schools to limit physical education requirements for children with disabilities. I mean, exempt, but that’s not something I generally recommend.”
Parents are encouraged to talk to their school about their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and where sports fit into it. “Many children with disabilities have IEPs, and physical education is required as part of that program, but it’s often not done,” Labotts said. “But it’s really important. You may think you’re helping and protecting your child by signing a PE disclaimer, but you’re actually keeping them away from all these opportunities.”
2. Talk to coaches and athletic directors
Let’s start by asking a few questions. If your athlete would like to play on a school or club team, please discuss this with your coach or school athletic director. Often, coaches have never thought about how an athlete with a particular disability could be included on the team, but it’s possible. Even if your child is not interested in competing, they may still be able to participate in training and team-building activities.
“An often overlooked advocate in the school setting is often the school nurse. She helps develop healthy programs for children during the school day, They provide suggestions and recommendations,” Rabots said.
3. Talk to your health care provider
Your child’s health care provider will be able to objectively assess restrictions and recommendations for participating in sports. Some disorders (such as muscular dystrophy) limit an athlete’s ability to perform high-intensity exercise, but sports that maintain lower endurance levels may be OK.
Ask your doctor: “What sports and activities are recommended for my child?” What should I avoid? ”
Within those parameters, consider which sports and activities are best suited for your child and your family. What sports are they interested in? What level of competition are they interested in? The athlete’s personal preferences are important here. Look for a fun sports experience. Your child may need to start small and consider pre-sport training and conditioning.
“The importance of building physical literacy and basic movement skills cannot be underestimated,” says Labotts. “In some cases, some preparatory work may be required before the child is able to participate safely, especially if the child has been quite sedentary by that point. begins by working with rehabilitation experts to create a program that prepares your child for sport.”
4. See what’s available in your area
In some regions, easily accessible opportunities exist for athletes with disabilities to pursue higher level sports. Your local community center may offer wheelchair basketball, or there may be a good tandem cycling or running program for visually impaired athletes.
To find out what’s available in your area, visit the National Center for Health, Physical Activity and Disabilities (NCHPAD) website or visit the Challenged Athletes Foundation website. You can also search for local services in your area or based on your athlete’s specific disability. These programs often offer scholarships and equipment rentals for athletes who cannot afford the specialized equipment needed for some activities.
Many schools also participate in the unified sports program, which Rabots likes. “While it’s great for kids with disabilities, kids without disabilities and who aren’t interested in sports are often drawn into the program as well. The emphasis is different and it doesn’t have the same competitiveness as most sports. ” Rabots said.
5. As a caregiver, you need to be proactive.
Finally, your own activity level is important when helping your child stick to a sport, especially if they have no natural interest in athletics or other types of physical activity.
“When it comes to role modeling, your own physical activity patterns are powerful,” says LaBose. “Children with physically active parents are four times more likely to be active themselves. Caregivers often worry about how much their own behavior affects their children.” I don’t understand what’s going on.”
understand the risks
Unfortunately, sports involve risks for any child, and children with disabilities have potentially higher risks associated with physical activity and certain activities. Rabots says it’s important to understand the risks, but not to be overly protective. “We often put able-bodied children through all sorts of activities where there is some potential for injury,” she said. “We also need to find the right balance with children with disabilities. There is a great temptation to be overly protective, but if children are unable to participate in these activities, there are significant risks to their health and wellbeing. may occur.”
Parents should look for programs that focus on player development and sportsmanship, and have player safety policies in place.
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As a parent, it can be nerve-wracking to let your child with a disability play sports. But from both a physical and emotional point of view, sport can open up a new world for many young people with disabilities. They can validate their abilities, build deep social connections with peers, and develop new skills while also improving their own health outcomes. To best advocate for your child, search NCHPAD for local resources, talk to your child’s doctor, and talk to your school coach or athletic director to find out how to get your child involved in sports .
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TrueSport® is the experience and values-based movement of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, championing the positive values and life lessons learned through youth sports. TrueSport (https://truesport.org/) inspires athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators to change the culture of youth sports through fundamental lessons in sportsmanship, character development, and clean, healthy performance. The aim is to inspire and develop leaders across the community. Sports. For more expert-led articles and resources, visit TrueSport’s comprehensive resource collection.
