How to Get Your Child Into Sports
My oldest joined his first soccer team when he was three years old. Granted, he mostly picked flowers and talked to his friends, but he had officially entered the world of sports!
For our kids with disabilities, it can be hard to get them into athletics at a young age. We see all the cool videos of adults climbing rock walls while seated in their wheelchair, or flying down the mountain on a monopod, but what can we offer our six year old?
Getting Started
I always thought we would look into the Special Olympics when we were ready for sports. I didn’t realize that without a cognitive delay, a child doesn’t qualify for the Special Olympics. What we need are adaptive sports.
The following are programs that are nationwide, so the chances are high that there is something near you!
Ice Hockey
From adaptive skating to sled hockey, the American Special Hockey Association has a way for every child to get on the ice.
Baseball
Little League Challenger is the adaptive branch of America’s little league. Ages 4-18.
Swimming
It was difficult for me to find a nationwide adaptive swim network, because the main sites encourage mixed ability classes. Check out US Adaptive’s information on finding swim lessons near you, or just call your local YMCA to ask if they have a lesson that could be a good fit for your disabled child!
Football
Pop Warner flag football is equality at its finest. Where there are enough players, teams are divided by similar size and abilities – everyone gets equal play time. You can find a league near you, here.
All the Rest
Have you thought about what sports your child may be interested in? If it’s not hockey, baseball, or swimming, how about hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing, tennis, sailing, or horseback riding? The sky is the limit!
Most of these activities are found through state or local programs. Below are some of the more robust programs we’ve found. They’re worth traveling for, but do a google search with your own state name, plus the word “adaptive” to see what you may have near home!
Colorado
Colorado actually has multiple programs available around the state. Many of the ski mountains offer not only adaptive ski, but year round adaptive programs.
Denver’s Adaptive Sports Foundation offers sled hockey, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair lacrosse, and power soccer. While some of these are older-kid sports, basketball starts as early as age six!
Crested Butte is another area of Colorado with robust adaptive options. They run all seasons with things like cycling, climbing, water sports, and snow sports. They also offer scholarships and will work with you to get you plugged in.
Michigan
This one didn’t stand out as much for its statewide programs as for this one park with exceptional options for all abilities. Muskegon State Park has worked through both renovations and adaptive equipment to make sure that the park and its activities and amenities are open to all.
While the majority of their trails, including the luge track and zip line, are wheelchair accessible, there’s a track chair available to navigate the rest! From the adaptive luge and zipline to the adaptive sports like ice sledding and cross country skiing – they have something for everyone.
Ohio
When we were in Cleveland, we stumbled upon an impressively accessible Farmpark, and discovered it was a part of a greater network of inclusive parks through Lake Metroparks. Not only do these parks, scattered around Cleveland, offer impressive accessibility, they also run a variety of adaptive programs. These programs are fun in that they go beyond just inclusive hiking and fishing to a wide variety of things, like crafting, outdoor games, and farm activities. It’s a beautiful way to plug into the sort of things we’re often left out of!
Utah
Every time I try to look up something on adaptive sports, National Ability Center is at the top of my search results. Maybe because their programs include cycling, paddle sports, water sports, archery, challenge courses, indoor rock climbing, aquatics, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, mountain biking, camping, snowshoeing, and horseback riding google just assumes their page will have the answer to my question!
Once you’ve been checked off by NAC staff to use specific adaptive equipment, you can even rent equipment to take out on your own or with family and friends. If you have not been checked off you will need to a schedule lesson or skills check off prior to the rental. 435.649.3991.
Scholarships are available, based on financial need.
Vermont
We discovered Vermont Adaptive through their ski program, but they have an impressive array of activities available year-round. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities (from their website).
In addition to skiing, winter sports include snowboarding, cross country, and snowshoeing.
Summer is an even broader range with activities like canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, cycling, mountain biking (downhill & trail riding), sailing, indoor rock climbing, hiking, tennis, environmental programs, and Beeper Baseball. If that’s not enough, let them know what you’re dreaming, and they’ll do their best to work with you to make it happen.
Vermont Adaptive works on a sliding pay scale. It is their goal to make sure everyone is able to play. You can make this work!
Everywhere
This state-by-state list of adaptive sports resources was a brilliant find while researching for this article! Bring it up a notch with golf, archery, fencing, or whatever you’re into – wherever you live! You can find just about any sport in just about any state. I can’t wait to see what you take on!