“I
t’s been amazing for my son’s self-esteem, confidence-building and socializing with peers. There are not a lot of opportunities for that in school, and this gives him the chance to experience those typical milestones his siblings get to have. It’s been a huge boost… he tells everyone about his next game!” Lakewood mother of three Nicole Born-Crow explains the positive influence adapted sports have had on her fifth-grader with autism. Brain surgery a year ago left her son with some physical disabilities. Now seizure-free, walking and running, he has enjoyed playing basketball and soccer and is trying golf next. Northeast Ohio boasts sports and fitness activities for athletes of all ages and abilities. We break down why and how to find these camps and other programs as well as what to look for when determining which one is best for your child’s individual needs. Adapted athletic offerings vary seasonally and range from group fitness programs or exercise classes to drop-in clinics focused on one or more sports at a time, recreational leagues with team play and more competitive interscholastic opportunities. Additionally, recreational day or overnight camps often weave athletic activities into a broader curriculum with arts/crafts, nature study and field trips. Consider your child’s interests. “If your child doesn’t like team sports, focus on fitness first,” says certified special needs trainer Tony D’Orazio, founder of Jacob’s Ladder Special Needs Fitness. “Get them started young, and make it part of a regular family routine. Don’t look too much for technique, but model each exercise and reinforce the child’s efforts.” As a former college and semi-pro athlete, D’Orazio stresses the need to raise expectations to realize ability. He and his son, Jake, who has Down Syndrome, are each certified in special needs training and Down to Box boxing instruction. BENEFITS
The advantages of adapted athletics are abundant. Through sports programs, children can: 1. Improve physical health. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adults with mobility limitations and intellectual or learning disabilities are at greatest risk for obesity, with 20% of children ages 10-17 with special health care needs being obese, compared with 15% of children without special health care needs. Exercise pro-
Adapted Athletics:
5 Benefits for your Child and 10 Questions to Ask Camp Directors By Lindsey Geiss
motes strength, mobility, flexibility, agility, balance, visual/spatial perception and more. Regular activity sets the foundation for a lifelong healthy lifestyle.
2. Support emotional well-being.
Research shows physical activity improves mood and reduces anxiety while supporting concentration, memory, alertness and more.
3. Empower oneself. Explore interests in
a comfortable, safe space where everyone feels included. Whether seeking basic competency or high-level competitiveness, confidence and pride come with greater independence and skills-building. There are opportunities to practice valuable self-advocacy and even life-saving skills, from water safety to self-defense.
4. Engage with the community in a fun way. Find joy in new enriching
experiences. Sporting events give families something to look forward to, expose children to new people and places, and bring siblings, parents, volunteers and broader communities together to rally around a child and team. Opportunities for typically functioning peers to play or volunteer promote tolerance, understanding and compassion.
5. Grow socially. Support social-emotional
development and improve communication skills through interaction with peers, coaches and fans. Learn teamwork and build friendships while practicing
C6 | 2022 Summer Camp Guide - Family Living at Its Best
listening skills, following instruction and cheering on teammates. Connect to other families and opportunities. Miracle League of Lake County families, for example, builds entire days around a ball game with refreshments, playground time and attending a Captain’s minor league game.
Even so, there can be anxiety associated with trying new things. Between school, medical visits, therapies and more, schedules pose challenges. Barriers for children with special needs to participate in sports include access to proper equipment, transportation, trained support staff and funding. “If you are eligible for county support dollars or NEON funding, adaptive sports programs in Cuyahoga County, accept it,” explains Nicole Born-Crow, program manager for Connecting for Kids, which provides education and support to Northeast Ohio families concerned about their child. “Full-day camps may be funded by scholarships or school districts for children on IEPs who qualify for ESY (extended school year services). Earlier in the year, families can try to apply for grants from foundations.” Born-Crow notes that several communities have established adaptive programs, including Middleburg Heights and Solon Blue Ribbon Adapted Recreation, and local recreation departments may partner with adaptive sports organizations like Empower Sports, to meet special needs. “For children with low support needs, local recreation departments can be a great option, but it becomes really important to ask questions,” she advises. ADAPTED SPORTS PROVIDERS
Organizations working to eliminate barriers and improve access to sports for all include:
• Youth Challenge (youthchallengesports. com), established in 1976, connects young people ages 4-19 with physical disabilities or orthopedic, visual or hearing impairments who are able to participate in age-appropriate activities with trained teen volunteers through more than 300 free, year-round adapted sports, recreation and social growth activities across Northeast Ohio. Seasonal offerings include basketball, baseball, sled hockey, golf, swimming, tennis, archery, boccia, rock climbing and more. Teams practice weekly during their designated season and travel to compete. Transportation is available on a limited basis via a fleet of liftequipped vans.