For many families, weekends are planned around games, meets and matches. But not all children fit into the sporting world so easily. Luckily, there are sports enthusiasts who believe all children should feel the thrill of victory and have made the playing field level for all.
Not every child is part of a team. Not every parent is worried about keeping the uniforms clean and the Gatorade pouring. There are parents who would love for their child to have a practice, a game and a trophy. They know their kids would benefit in numerous ways by participating in sports. And there are coaches who would love to have these kids on their team.
It takes a little looking, but parents can find teams that have the supports and adaptations in place for those kids who need extra help with becoming a team player. Below are some of the opportunities in Atlanta for the learning and special needs community to participate in sports. KE covers the what, when, where, why and how of sports for kids!
TUCKER YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION – TOPSoccer
WHO:
TOPSoccer is an outreach program of TYSA and the US Youth Soccer Association. It is a community-based training and team participation program for young athletes with disabilities. TOPSoccer is a modified version of soccer, designed to provide opportunities for our special needs athletes to enjoy the game. To address the special needs of these athletes, each player will have a volunteer “Soccer Buddy” to assist at practices and games. The goal is to provide a recreational, leisurely approach to the game of soccer for this very special group. This program is open to all kids with any type of physical or mental disability between the ages of 6-18.
WHAT:
Are the similarities to the mainstream version of your sport?
TOPSoccer allows children to participate in the same community sports program as typical peers and siblings; they wear the same uniform, play at the same fields, score on the same goals, have the same awards banquets, and if appropriate, play on a typical team in the future.
Are the differences?
With mainstream soccer the players use their own two legs but, in TOPSoccer, some play in a wheelchair, some maneuver with walkers and others move with the help of leg braces. All the children in attendance have varying disabilities: autism, Down’s syndrome and visual impairments, as well as others. The players have the assistance of “buddies” that work with them to succeed on the field. There is a 1 to 1 player to coach environment where, in regular teams, there may be a 7 to 1 ratio.
Are the benefits for the kids, the parents and the coaches?
For the kids the benefits are evident everywhere. When they are given their uniform, that’s the best! They are now part of a team! For once, they are on the same playing field as hundreds of thousands of players around the world.
For the parents, it’s hearing their children’s gleeful shout and seeing their children’s excitement from every high five they receive. Moms say thank you for being a “soccer mom,” something they never thought they would ever be able to say.
For the coaches it is placing everything in perspective. It’s setting aside wins and losses for hugs and high fives. They can laugh, have fun, dive on the floor and enjoy the game of soccer in every way it’s supposed to be enjoyed.
WHEN:
The season takes place over 6 weeks. This fall it started on October 3 and will end on November 7 at the TOPSoccer Jamboree (sponsored by Jumping Jamboree and Bruster’s from 5pm – 6pm). We practice every Sunday from 5pm – 6pm which begins with a team warm-up with. Next, the players break out with their respective buddies and focus on the topic for the day for 20 to 30 min. They then play small-sided games against other players for the remaining time.
HOW:
TYSA has a Director of TOPSoccer, Ken Barnett, who organized the program and sets up the volunteers. Ken also works with the Director of Coaching, Warren van der Westhuizen, who head the sessions with Nina Roberts. Nina’s sons play in TYSA’s academy program and she is fantastic with the special needs players. Academy and Select coaches, as well as volunteers from the organization, also help with the sessions. Combine all of the above with assistance from youth players from TYSA and there is ample support for all the participants.
The TOPSoccer program is partially funded. US Youth Soccer and Adidas helped to support the starting costs of the program and they have placed a ball, shin guards, a uniform, socks and Adidas bag to every TOPSoccer athlete. Participants are asked to pay $25 for registration fees but there is hope that in the future there will be a fully sponsored program so participants will not need to pay a cent.
WHY:
Debi Taylor, mother of TOPSoccer participant and TOPSoccer volunteer said the following, “My son had a great time. He hasn’t stopped talking about it all evening! I am really grateful for this program. He hasn’t been able to participate in any type of organized sports in the past. It was also a great measure for me to see all the coordination and movement work I’ve been doing with him at home pay off in a safe environment!”
To foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition is the goal. TOPSoccer hopes to enable the many athletes in the DeKalb area with disabilities to develop their physical fitness, technical skills, courage and self-esteem, through the joy and excitement of playing soccer.
Director of Coaching, Warren van der Westhuizen summed it up, “I can’t imagine a day without having soccer in my life and I want to provide that same opportunity to all players with any disability. Through TYSA’s TOPSoccer program, these special young athletes feel that they are an integral part of Tucker Youth Soccer Association and not just a spectator.”
WHERE:
Practice is held in Henderson Park where all participants have full wheelchair access (2803 Henderson Road, Tucker, GA).
AMERI-KAN KARATE
WHO:
Ameri-Kan Karate serves children and adults of all abilities. Current students have diagnoses of autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, sensory processing disorder, and others. Everyone who has a desire to participate is eligible for the program.
WHAT:
Are the similarities to mainstream karate?
Ameri-Kan Karate is similar to mainstream karate in its rank advancement from white belt to black belt. It is taught in our karate studio with the same karate uniforms and karate moves that the mainstream students use. The students advance through the ranks through individual effort.
Are the differences?
The difference between Ameri-Kan Karate and their mainstream program is that they adapt the karate moves and belt advancement requirements to the individual.
Are the benefits? The kids gain self-confidence, social skills, balance, coordination, fitness, and focus. They get to participate in a martial arts program just like the mainstream students. Their parents have the thrill of seeing their child achieve milestones in rank advancement. They often get to see their child jump over a hurdle for the first time. They get to see their child kick a target above their waist when they initially couldn’t lift their foot high enough to step up a large curb. They also get see their child joke and kid around with peers.
WHEN:
Classes are ongoing throughout the year on Saturdays. There are currently no tournaments associated with Ameri-Kan Karate.
HOW:
An occupational therapist selects the staff from current experienced karate instructors who have a love for individuals that need a little extra attention. The instructors are trained through weekly training sessions as well as on-the-floor instruction from the occupational therapist as the need arises. They also rely on the experiences of the extremely knowledgeable parents of the children. The program is a private pay, tuition-based program.
WHY:
The goal is that anyone who would like to learn karate should have that opportunity.
Kids work on social skills and respect for self and others. These skills are important for children because it gives them the tools they need to reach their goals, whether they are social, academic or physical. The staff values the individual and modifies the program to meet the needs of the unique karate student. Students are treated with respect and compassion as they are helped along the road to black-belt.
WHERE:
The karate studio is located in Conyers (although we have students that come from Douglasville, Sandy Springs, Norcross, Ellenwood, and other locations).
SENSATIONS THERAFUN
WHO:
All children, ages 4 to 12, who are not playing in typical sports leagues due to their sensory issues and other challenges, such as autism and visual impairment, are welcome! No child is turned away. The kids in this program are physically able to play to some extent.
WHAT:
What are the similarities to mainstream sports?
Kids with all abilities are welcome and are coached to share, take turns, cheer and encourage their teammates. The program includes a jersey with the child’s name and number, a team picture and a trophy. We have versions of t-ball and soccer, tailored to the population, where we teach the basic skills of each sport. Kids get to name their team, such as the Gators. Each event includes stretching, running and a team cheer at the end. Kids are coached to progress in their abilities, encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and do something new.
What are the differences?
It is non-competitive and designed for all kids to succeed. One child’s success could be dribbling the ball and kicking into the goal, while another’s could be just showing up. Parents and caregivers are welcome to assist their kids on the field, yet that is not a requirement.
What are the benefits for the kids, the parents and the coaches?
Kids: Sports play is an important part of a kid’s development. Many of our participants have not had a chance to be on a team, wear a jersey, win a trophy or say, “I have a soccer game today.” Building self-esteem is a major component of the program, and all kids experience success. Kids get physical exercise, practice sharing and following directions, and develop friendships with their teammates. They also get basic instructions and build a foundation for a sport. Some kids will use the league to prepare for future mainstream leagues. They learn the game, get used to the structure and flow of a game and practice, and learn the fundamentals that they need for future play.
Parents: Many of the parents thought that their child would never be able to play on a team. Watching their kids play on a team, learning a sport and building their self-esteem is very rewarding. During practices and games, parents network with other parents who have kids in the same community. There is no “judging” a child based on the usual sports team expectations. What might seem as an insignificant action to mainstream parents is an action worth celebrating in this league. Parents can emotionally “relax.” Meltdowns are OK!
Coaches: It is very rewarding to help kids succeed in something they did not think possible. High school volunteers, who have not had much exposure to special needs children, are exposed to the Sensations community and learn to accept kids for who they are.
WHEN:
Sensations has leagues in every season. Practice takes place once a week and the one hour session includes practice and game.
HOW:
Learning on the Log is a partner in the league and they staff and train the coaches. Coaches are supported by Sensations staff and volunteers from local high schools. Individual families pay a league fee which includes the jersey and trophy. There are also scholarships available to help some participate.
WHY:
Sensations focuses on giving kids the opportunity for sensory and physical input while doing mainstream activities. Kids can learn to play a sport and have a social experience in a non-judgmental and non-competitive environment. Kids are OK being who they are; it is their “play place.”
WHERE:
The program takes place indoors on 4,000 square feet of artificial turf. This reduces the anxieties of external distractions and games are not canceled because of weather so kids always get to play.
Sensations TheraFun is located at 1704 Chantilly Drive, Atlanta, 30324 at the intersection of I-85 and Cheshire Bridge Road (404-634-3500, www.sensationstherafun.com).
HORIZON BASEBALL
WHO:
Currently, Horizon Baseball serves special needs children and young adults between the ages of 5 to 21 years old. They are looking at a special needs adult league in 2011. Everyone is eligible to play and scholarships are offered so no one is turned away.
WHAT:
Are the similarities and differences?
The similarities to mainstream baseball are that the kids bat, run the bases, and play the field. There are a few differences in that there are no outs, strikes or balls. Every athlete gets a turn to bat and the children get to bat until they hit the ball. The last batter always gets a home run.
Are the benefits for the kids, the parents and the coaches?
The kids get to participate in a program that they have not been able to access in the past and everyone feels like a winner. The parents get to watch their child participate and have a great time. The benefits for the coaches are feeling the excitement when helping the special needs kids have fun and getting to be a part of it.
WHEN:
The season runs two 6-week seasons in the spring (April – May) and the fall (September – November). There is no weekday practice but each team plays on Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm.
HOW:
There is one paid staff member, the Acworth Parks and Recreation Special Needs Coordinator, and volunteers to coach and “buddy” the players. The coaches are trained by the Special Needs Coordinator and the program is funded by donations and fundraisers.
WHY:
The Horizon program is an important part of the community because it provides children and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in athletic events, develop lasting relationships among their peers, coaches and parents, and show them that they are an valuable member of their community by creating an environment of inclusion for the kids and their parents.
WHERE:
Horizon Baseball is played at the Acworth Sports Complex on Horizon Field, 4000 S. Main Street in Acworth, GA.
SPECIAL POPS TENNIS
WHO:
Special Pops Tennis serves children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Children may start training at age 6, but may not participate in competitive events until age 8. There is no upper age limit to participate in the programs.
WHAT:
Are the similarities to the mainstream version of your sport?
Special Pops programs offer tennis players the opportunity to play on the same tennis courts with the same equipment and rules that typical tennis players use. They also offer the opportunity to play team-based tennis in a league format through the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
Are the differences?
Special Pops offers a variety of adaptive training techniques to create a meaningful tennis experience for our athletes. To better learn and experience the game of tennis, they use a larger foam ball on a smaller court for beginners and people with limited ability to move. Players progress from hitting hand-fed balls to playing with a foam ball on a short tennis court. Competition ranges from scoring individual players based on where they hit the ball, to match play on a short court, to match play on a regular tennis court with regulation tennis balls.
Are the benefits for the kids, the parents and the coaches?
All parties involved benefit from Special Pops programs. Most importantly, the athlete experiences success in a sport at a much quicker pace. Parents experience the excitement of seeing their child play a sport that they assumed was too difficult for their child. Coaches are able to keep the athlete actively engaged in learning the sport.
The benefits off the court are equally, or perhaps even more, important. As they age, life can be lonely and debilitating for persons with an intellectual disability, especially after leaving the organized social life that school affords. Joel, a 30-year-old with Down’s syndrome, had worked a small job for seven years before joining Special Pops. Off the job, he was isolated from his peers and had become a “couch potato.” Two years after joining Special Pops, he participated in his first competitive tennis event and played in the SPUD league. Not only has Special Pops Tennis made Joel a tennis player, it has led to a newly discovered camaraderie between Joel and his peers. He now loves to get out of the house to exercise playing tennis and competing in tournaments. He also goes to dances. His life is full once again, thanks to the Special Pops Tennis program.
“I am so excited to have my child playing tennis. Now when I go to the courts, she does not have to stay outside the fence. We are able to participate as a family in this great game.”
“I wish I could get my tennis team to play this sport in the same spirit as these athletes. They really get the spirit of the sport.”
WHEN:
The busiest season is in the spring, but training is also offered at a limited number of sites in the fall. Training is offered at various sites the other days of the week in 60 – 90 minute sessions.
Our matches are scheduled throughout the year. Friday and Sunday are the only days training isn’t offered at least at one site. Locally, the Special Olympics Georgia Summer Games (May); Harrison Area Community Tennis Association Skills Tournament (Sept); Special Populations Unified Doubles (SPUD) League Play (Sept – Oct); and the Special Pops Fall Classic Adaptive Tennis Tournament (Nov) are offered. Participation in several out-of-town tournaments also takes place.
HOW:
Special Pops Tennis is a grassroots volunteer program. They depend greatly on tennis professionals, tennis enthusiasts, and people with a passion for serving others to assist with the programs. Special Pops volunteers are trained in adaptive coaching techniques. The coaches must be certified to be eligible to coach during competition. The programs are funded through the generosity of local businesses, grants, and fundraisers. All training is provided at no cost to the athletes. They also provide equipment if the athlete does not own any.
WHY:
Special Pops’ mission is to provide a meaningful year-round tennis experience for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. While the game they teach is tennis, the lessons learned and carried over to the everyday lives of those served – self-confidence, self-discipline, good sportsmanship, teamwork, and the importance of physical activity – are real life lessons.
“We place far greater emphasis on the lives of athletes outside the white lines than we do on what they accomplish inside the white lines.”
WHERE:
Special Pops Tennis has 14 training sites at public parks, schools and clubs around the metro-Atlanta area. The sites may change at times, so people should visit the Web site at www.specialpopstennis.com to locate a site that best suits their needs.
PEOTSI®
WHO:
PEOTSI® (PE/OT/SI) serves children who receive occupational therapy services and who have tried traditional recreational sports programs but have not had a successful experience.
WHAT:
Are the similarities to the mainstream version of your sport? In soccer and floor hockey the teams compete and keep score. The equipment looks the same; hockey participants wear helmets. The players run, sweat, and encourage one another. Our motto is: “Play Hard and Have Fun.”
Are the differences? PEOTSI is different in many ways. Each one hour group begins with a ten minute discussion of “How Does Your Engine Run?” complete with “engine helpers.” The entire program is done indoors on a carpeted floor to lessen distractions. The soccer ball is extremely light; so, getting hit in the face with this ball may surprise you, but it will not hurt. In hockey, rubber balls and rubber sticks are used. Each player’s position on the field is determined by lines on the floor, thus eliminating kids bunching up around the ball in soccer as well as hockey. Playing indoors has the added advantage of having no out of bounds to allow for continuous play and a better work out.
HOW:
During an eight week program, parents are highly discouraged from viewing the practice session until the last fifteen minutes so that the maximum attention can be paid to the players. At the end of the eight weeks, there is The Big Tournament. This is a “round robin” format with as many as five teams playing each other in front of parents, siblings, and friends. We show teams what to do when they are NOT playing. One team might be in the climbing gym, while another might be in the “engine room.” Staying regulated while not playing is essential to staying focused when a team is called to play. Winning and losing is a natural part of life, so we do keep score, but everyone gets a trophy at the end.
WHY:
We feel that kids, no matter their level of talent, should feel good about playing a sport. PEOTSI assists kids in learning the sport by teaching through drills and breaking down each step to finite details. We also provide kids the ability to slowly learn each task, then build weekly on each task in order to play the game. These different methods of instruction, allow for kids in PEOTSI to experience playing a team sport, as well as LOVE the game!
WHERE:
For more information on PEOTSI® with Clay White, visit http://claywhite.us/peotsi.php.
Sports can enrich the lives of everyone involved, including parents and coaches. But for a child with special needs, the rewards are especially great because participating means belonging to a community. Thanks to greater understanding and resources, there are many opportunities out there for every child to get involved with sports. The programs highlighted in this article are in the Atlanta area. Below is a list of helpful Web sites that highlight more programs in Atlanta and other areas nationwide.
www.ymcapass.org for local YMCA options.
www.specialolympics.org
Exceptional parent at www.eparent.com
www.autismspeaks.org
www.miracleleague.com
www.dreammakersyouthfoundations.com and search S.T.A.R.S. basketball and tennis
www.chadd.org
www.atlantaparent.com and search “just kids” resource guide for recreation and enrichment
Kool Kidz adaptive swim club focus-ga.org/swim_kk.htm
claywhite.us/peotsi.php – PEOTSI® (PE/OT/SI) is an adaptive PE program for children receiving Occupational Therapy due to mild Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
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Love all the photo! It is nice to know that kids with special needs have a variety of options to participate in sports!
Comment by Beth — December 1, 2010 #