When it comes to helping children with disabilities stay active, sports can be a great way to get them moving in a productive, enriching way. Sports offers children from all walks of life, a host of great benefits for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether it’s through building the strength in their muscles, enhancing their coordination, or boosting their confidence, the right sport can make all the difference to a child with special needs.
That being said, not all sports are suited for every child. As a result of their disabilities, some sports are just not manageable. This is where physical therapists come in. These experts can provide valuable insight and sage advice on which activities are most beneficial, depending on the child’s specific needs.
In this article, we will outline ten sports that physical therapists might recommended for children with specific disabilities. Whether your child has cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, or any other condition, these sports can offer them a safe, fun, and therapeutic experience that promotes both physical and social well-being.
Swimming: A Low-Impact Full-Body Workout for Kids with Mobility Challenges
Swimming is widely considered one of the best sports around for kids. Not only is swimming a vital survival skill that all children should learn at some point in their lives, it is particularly helpful for kids with mobility challenges. Children with cerebral palsy or arthritis, in particular, will benefit from some time in the water. This is partly because the water provides buoyancy, which reduces the strain on a person’s joints and minimizes the risk of injury. Swimming also represents a full-body workout, which is helpful for any child who needs a bit more physical exercise . Swimming also improves a child’s overall flexibility, strength, and coordination.
Children with limited mobility benefit greatly from aquatic therapy sessions which can often be customized to meet their individual needs. Many aquatic therapy sessions will focus on gentle movements to enhance muscle tone and improve balance. This factor, in and of itself, makes water therapy an ideal option for kids who need more low-impact exercise in their lives. At the same time, some physical therapists use swimming to help improve respiratory function, which is crucial for kids with certain muscular or neurological conditions.
Additionally, swimming, as with all organized sports, encourages needed social interaction and teamwork. It accomplishes this in a unique way, as well, because swimming tends to represent a low-pressure environment, making it a great way to build up a child’s self-esteem.
Boccia: A Sport for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Other Motor Disabilities
Many readers might be unfamiliar with boccia, but they we would bet good money that they’ve heard of bocce ball. Similar to bocce, boccia is a precision ball sport that has been specifically designed for athletes with physical disabilities. Those who have cerebral palsy or have suffered spinal cord injuries, will be quite happy to discover a sport like boccia exists. This sport is played indoors and is played almost exactly like bocce ball. Players take turns rolling balls, trying to get as close as they can to a target ball, called the “jack,” in this case, and the pelota in bocce. Interestingly enough, the game is often played in a seated position, thereby making it accessible to children who may not have full use of their arms or legs.
Physical therapists generally recommend boccia as an excellent way to improve a child’s hand-eye coordination, precision, and focus. As with many sports, players typically compete as part of a team so boccia is a great way to promote teamwork and social skills. Though it might seem low-key compared to some other youth sports, many kids find boccia to be an enjoyable challenge. Thanks to its minimal physical demands, boccia is an ideal option for children with motor disabilities who still want to engage in some measure of competitive sports. Moreover, it helps them to build their independence and confidence.
Adaptive Cycling: Boosting Strength and Balance for Children with Mobility Impairments
As a cardio-based sports activity, cycling tends to be much lower impact than running. This makes it a fantastic way for kids to develop the strength, coordination, and balance they might not have from the get-go. Children with mobility impairments or developmental disabilities may also find adaptive cycling to be a safe, supportive option for engaging in physical activity. This sport often uses specialized bicycles, such as tricycles or hand cycles, which are designed to accommodate different levels of physical ability. These creative inventions allow children with disabilities to enjoy the fun and benefits of cycling just like anybody else.
Cycling is an excellent way for kids to enhance their cardiovascular health, build up their leg strength, and improve their coordination. Children who have cerebral palsy or Down syndrome may find that adaptive cycling opens up a world of new opportunities to develop better muscle tone and control. Additionally, the outdoor aspect that comes with cycling provides a much-needed change of scenery for kids who might otherwise be spending the majority of their time indoors.
The freedom that cycling grants may also present an opportunity for kids to engage with their community. Many people overlook the social aspect of cycling, but in fact, many communities host inclusive cycling events that allow children to connect with their peers. As with many of these adaptive sports, adaptive cycling fosters increased independence and provides children with a sense of accomplishment that they can truly feel as they pedal their way towards their fitness goals.
Basketball: A Great Choice for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
To the uninitiated, basketball may seem like the absolute last sport that a child with disabilities can meaningfully engage with Yet, as intense a sport as basketball is, it can also be a fantastic option for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is a sport that requires teamwork, socialization, and communication skills, all of which might be lacking in children who have an innate difficulty with social cues and group interactions. At the same time, the physical aspects of the sport: dribbling, passing, and shooting hoops, also support the development of crucial motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Physical therapists will actually recommend modified basketball programs for children with ASD or those in wheelchairs, because the sport offers a structured environment where disabled athletes can focus on developing specific skills at their own pace. At the same time, basketballs, fairly simple rules can be further simplified to accommodate different levels of ability. In the same way, coaches can provide children with individualized instruction to support sensory needs.
On that note, those children who may experience sensory sensitivities, may benefit from playing in smaller, quieter settings. Additionally, many physical therapists also emphasize the importance of routine and repetition for children with these challengers, which can make basketball a more enjoyable and predictable experience for kids with ASD.
Track and Field: Encouraging Individual Achievement and Goal Setting
For many children with disabilities, track and field events provide a wide variety of options; more than one might suspect. Children with physical disabilities or developmental delays can play in an array of adaptive track and field activities such as running, throwing, and jumping. In each of these cases, the child can often do so in a way that is best suited to their specific needs.
For example, runners with mobility challenges can participate in wheelchair races, while other athletes may be better suited to engaging in events like shot put or javelin, often using adaptive equipment. Track and field also offers children with special needs a host of opportunities for goal-setting, personal achievement, and increased independence.
In terms of the physical therapists’ approach to the sport, the suggestion is usually best-suited to kids with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome because the individual nature of the sport allows for flexibility in training and competition.
Adaptive Skiing: A Thrilling Sport for Kids with Visual Impairments
Adaptive skiing might not be what many parents expect their children to be drawn to, but this fun winter sport is perfect for kids with visual impairments, including those who are blind or have low vision. Bear with us a moment longer and we will explain. With specialized equipment such as sit-skis, ski guides, and tethered skiing, even children that are disabled can experience the thrill of skiing down slopes while still being supported by a trained guide or instructor.
Many physical therapists recommend adaptive skiing quite highly for children with certain disabilities because it offers many benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, coordination, balance, and muscle strength. As skiing is an outdoor activity, the experience comes with the added bonus of allowing the child to be in a natural environment for a time, offering sensory stimulation and an increased sense of independence along the way.
Tennis: An Ideal Sport for Kids with ADHD
For children with ADHD, tennis can be very beneficial. This sport provides kids with a great outlet for excess energy, as well as helping those kids enhance their focus, coordination, and motor planning. Remember that tennis matches require constant movement, quick reflexes, and strategic thinking, all of which can help children with ADHD to hone their attention span and manage their impulse control in a highly-productive way.
Physical therapists that do recommend tennis, most often do so when they encounter children who would benefit from the type of physical activity that engages both their body and mind. The one-on-one nature of tennis also allows for personalized attention from coaches, who can then adapt the pace of the game to suit a child’s ability level and limitations.
Soccer: Fostering Teamwork and Social Skills in Children with Down Syndrome
Soccer is a sport that encourages teamwork, coordination, and communication, which makes it a great fit for children with Down syndrome. Physical therapists often suggest that coaches utilize a modified version of the game, preferably one that emphasizes clear instructions, simplified rules, and individualized support. The sport’s emphasis on running, dribbling, and passing are all great methods of enhancing motor skills. Soccer also requires a considerable degree of physical activity, which can improve health and physical fitness.
At the same time, soccer is great for promoting social interactions among young athletes. There are plenty of opportunities in the sport for kids to interact with their peers and teammates, which can enhance social skills that may be lacking or else help children form lasting friendships with like-minded athletes. On the physical end of things, the repetitive nature of soccer drills can help children with motor delays refine their skills and build strength and endurance.
Adaptive Martial Arts: Building Confidence and Discipline for Kids with Anxiety
Martial arts have always been an incredibly beneficial way for children to learn discipline, coordination, focus, and confidence. Children with anxiety, ADHD, and other emotional challenges may actually find it quite helpful in curbing negative emotions and enhancing their self-control. Many adaptive martial arts programs are tailored to the unique needs of each individual child and are focused on helping kids develop a vital sense of routine. Physical therapists often recommend martial arts as a way for children to release their immeasurable stores of energy, build strength, and learn coping strategies for managing stress.
Also, martial arts allows children the chance to set goals, earn belts, and experience a sense of achievement that will inevitably boost their self-esteem. The social and emotional benefits of martial arts will even extend beyond the physical training, offering kids with special needs some of the tools they’ll need for self-regulation in the future.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, no matter your child’s abilities or the challenges they face, there is a sport out there somewhere that can help them thrive physically, emotionally, and socially. The key is for parents to assess their child’s needs and look for activities that matches their interests and abilities. Whichever sport you choose for them, it should provide ample opportunities for their personal growth. As always, the added guidance of physical therapists, can help parents navigate among the many choices to find the one that offers the best therapeutic benefits and the best chance for the child to have fun.
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