sports and physical disabilities

[devon]

My youngest son (2yo) has hemiplagic cerebral palsy, as well as Noonan Syndrome (which physically means he also has some low tone issues).

He's doing great with PT and OT and has made real progress. He walks, is starting to stomp, can do steps with help, etc.

My husband and I were just talking the other day while we were at our oldest son's baseball game (he is 6.5yo).  We really enjoy sports as a family and encourage our kids to play sports.  We are NOT competitive with them - we just want them to get the benefit of teamwork, learning how to play the sport, and exercise. 

What is available for our son that has the physical limitations?  Who can predict what he will be like when he is 4, 5, ... years old.  I'd love for him still to get to participate but I see that he could quickly get fatigued (and definitely not able to catch up to the other kids while running, chasing a ball, etc) in a sport like soccer, even at the rec level.

I looked at Special Olympics but that seems to be only for those intellectually disabled, which he is not.

Thanks!

Devon

DS 6yo, DS 4yo, DS 2yo

[karne]

Two ideas come to mind, although they aren't usually team sports: horseback riding and skiing. Actually swimming, which can be competitive, is another idea. But there are adaptive programs for both equestrian and skiing/snowboarding.

[beenmum]

My daughter who is Visually impared and has severe issues with hypermobility in her joints, ankle maformations and a 1 and 3/4 leg length difference and wears bilateral leg braces.......actually does Tap, Jazz and a pre professional ballet class (and a rec ballet clas).

We took a chance and put her in, dispite all the issues with her legs and vision.....and she SHOCKED us. Absoluetly stunned us at how well she has done, and how much more work it is for her then the other kids. Our DI even invited her into the prepro classes. Classes i never thought she would be invited into.

Dont just put him in things that you know he can do well, put him in things that he may not be as good at, but enjoys. He may shock you like our DD did us.

My nephew has Hemi CP. So I know its not exactly the same thing as what I am describing. But tone wise, our DD has very mixed tone also. With low tone in her core and high tone in her legs.

Swimming and horse back riding are also great choices.

[Linda on the move]

it really depends on where you live. Many cities have programs like this one:

http://utchallengersports.com/

designed so kids with varying abilities can enjoy team sports.

My DD is on the autism spectrum and is a WONDERFUL swimmer. She swam competitively for several years. She loved being on a team, having a suit and cap like everyone else's, and getting ribbons. It's really the only sport she could do, but we found what worked for her. You'll find something wonderful for your little guy, too.

[KCMichigan]

It depends on your area.

You may have to dig a bit, but a lot of areas (especially metro) have programs for kiddos with special needs.

Our area has dance class, the community has swim classes, there is a local horseback riding for Special needs, and T-ball. All these programs are for ANY disability. There are also specialty classes for specific challenges (Our drama school has classes for kiddos ont eh ASD ages 6+, there is a physically handicapped bowling program for ages 3+, etc.

Our local play place (indoor inflatables) has a free night once a month for families with kiddos that have any kind of special needs and it is FREE entry! Great for networking, building strength, and building friendships. 

Contact your local support groups, specialist Dr, EI - et. They most likely would be able to put you in touch with contact people. Even better, chat up the parents of other kiddos during OT, PT. We found fabulous resources that way!

[homemademomma]

 My dd (ataxia telangiectasia) is almost 5 and participates in normal sports programs. I think young kids with disabilities fit in perfectly well in preschool sports, since the emphasis is on fun and teamwork as opposed to competitiveness. In a year or two I will probably have to re-evaluate, but as of now dd does GREAT in "mainstream" sports/activities and we have never had a problem with her being welcomed, accepted and accommodated. 

[Mirzam]

You mentioned soccer, you might want to check out if there is a Topsoccer program in your area. Topsoccer is a modified version of the game for kids who have challenges that preclude them from playing in a regular soccer program.

[Birdie B.]

I'm so glad to see this thread and read about all the possibilities! My daughter is only 2.5, but I also wonder about this.  She is severely visually impaired, and also has very low muscle tone, so I imagine that sports involving balls might be difficult for her.  I will look into dance, that's a great idea.

[wildmonkeys]

Gymnastics can also be a great option - I competed on a team as a kid, but spent years teaching rec classes and we were able to meet the needs of kids with a range of challenges because you progress on an individual level. It is a really good fit for kids with visual limitations because the equipment is stable and vision is not rarely used on the equipment (bars and beam for girls ---- pommel, rings, and bars for boys)

[RiverTam]

I had a client who had CP. She had good upper body strength, but no use of her legs. She was pretty limited for physical exercise. Her parents bought her a hand-bike and that was her favorite thing. Swimming was also good for her.

If he can stand and walk, you  might want to try out a martial arts class.  It might really help build strength and balance. You'll need to talk to the teachers to find a dojo that will work with him, but most teachers are really dedicated to teaching kids. They do it because they love it.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by RiverTam 

You'll need to talk to the teachers to find a dojo that will work with him, but most teachers are really dedicated to teaching kids. They do it because they love it.

agreed. My DD is quirky and has low muscle tone, and really no matter how hard she worked, she was never going to be the best swimmer in the state, but we've been blessed to find amazing coaches for her. One was a former Olympian. There are people out there who are SO good at what they do, and so passionate about working with kids, and truly are all about *personal best.* They love their sport and see if as such a benefit for kids, even if the kids aren't ever going to be stars.

Not every coach is like this, obviously, but they are out there. Believing that you'll find the right sport and the right coach is the first step to making it happen for your child.

[beenmum]

My DD did gymnastics, but floor only. She did a bit of work on the equipment, but then she lost more vision and it ended up scaring her too much. So we pulled her out and did dance and rhythem gymnastics.

Kids with VI have trouble knowing where their body is in space. So that tends to be a hinderance on equipment.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by beenmum 

Kids with VI have trouble knowing where their body is in space. So that tends to be a hinderance on equipment.

yeah, my DD (autism spectrum) did basic rec gymnastics when she was small, but the classes, even mellow rec classes, quickly got to be too much. Tumbling classes worked for a while, partly because they don't use equipment.

We had more problems with coaches in gymnastics/tumbling than we did with swimming. My DD really wasn't ever going to progress, but going to the class was really good for her. She could kick up into a hand stand at the wall, but was never going to take the next step after that. There was a lot of value in her doing what she could do, even though it wasn't going any where.

[34me]

Look for Adapted Sports/Recreation or Integrated Activities.  There's Challenger Baseball as well as Miracle League, Tops Soccer, Tons of Adaptive Skiing.  Look up Blaze Sports - they are only in a few areas but have a junior program.  This is a good place to start http://www.ncpad.org/  and this is interesting http://www.adaptedsports.org/