Celebrating Milestones in Adaptive Athletics

In the modern age, adaptive athletic programs are giving disenfranchised young players a real shot at playing sports with their peers. The programs in place today are transforming the sports world, especially for children with disabilities. These are programs that shift the focus away from competition and instead lean into the concepts of inclusion, empowerment, and fun through movement and physical activity.

Those of us who are parents of children with disabilities will no doubt understand how important all of this is, not just for our children, but for society as a whole. Those who have not had to face the hard truths and difficulties that spring from disability, may not understand at first, but will undoubtedly come to see the virtues of such programs when they see that all children can now play sports; even if society and circumstance did not allow them to do so in years gone by.

In this article, we will speak about some practical ways that parents can celebrate and support milestones in adaptive athletics. So, whether your child is just starting out or is already an athlete on their way to great things, we have no doubt that you will find valuable insights and encouragement in the article below.

What is Adaptive Athletics?

We have spoken about adaptive sports in the past at Cultured Athlete. We have defined it as sports and/or physical activities that are specifically designed or modified to accommodate athletes with disabilities. It does not matter whether those disabilities are physical, intellectual, or developmental in nature, because adaptive athletic programs are meant to account for them and, as the name implies, adapt. Thus, adaptive sports provide opportunities for children to compete, learn new skills, and experience the benefits of teamwork, discipline, and fitness that other children have always been privy to.

That said, adaptive athletics, as a concept, is about far more than just physical activity — it’s about empowerment. Sports that are designed with disabilities in mind allows kids who possess those challenges to to push past their perceived boundaries, meet new challenges all their own, and build social connections in a supportive environment.

Some prime examples of adaptive sports, and ones you might already be familiar with, include wheelchair basketball, seated volleyball, adaptive swimming, and track and field; though there are many more!

Why Celebrate Milestones in Adaptive Athletics?

Milestones in youth sports are always significant, whether the child has a disability or not. That said, milestones in adaptive athletics are significant for a host of other reasons that may or may not apply to children without disabilities:

• Personal Growth: Each milestone that a child achieves in adaptive sports marks that child’s personal development in skill, strength, or confidence; three factors that will undoubtedly help them in other areas of their life as well.
• Building Confidence: When we celebrate successes, big or small, we encourage our children to keep pushing their limits, to achieve more than even they believed they were capable of achieving.
• Social Inclusion: Social achievements in adaptive athletics can open doors to new friendships for a child with a disability and may give them a sense of belonging that they may have previously lacked.
• Awareness and Advocacy: Celebrating milestones publicly and with one’s child, raises awareness about adaptive sports and the capabilities of athletes with disabilities.
• Parental Support: Each milestone will provide parents with additional opportunities to actively engage in their child’s sports journey.

Types of Milestones in Adaptive Athletics

By this point, you are probably asking yourself, “what does a milestone in adaptive sports look like?” Well, the answer is kind of multi-faceted. Adaptive athletics milestones can take many forms and all of them depend on the sport and the child’s individual abilities. Nevertheless, some common milestones parents might choose to celebrate include:

First Participation

The very first time a child tries an adaptive sport is going to be a huge step; emotionally, physically, and socially. It is going to be emotional for you and for them and simply taking that first step together is a sign of courage and openness to new experiences; on the part of everyone involved1

Skill Development

Every new skill that a child masters in their chose adaptive sport, whether it is learning to dribble a basketball in a wheelchair, improving their wheelchair maneuverability, or mastering a swimming stroke, is a milestone in our book! These skills may seem basic but they build a foundation for confidence and future success in their chosen field of play.

First Competition or Game

Practices are one thing, but participating in a formal competition or game can be a thrilling milestone for a child and their proud parents. Even if it is an event thrown by a local adaptive sports league game or just a friendly meet-up with other players. Competing helps children learn about sportsmanship and handling pressure.

Team Integration

For many children, becoming an active member of a team is an important milestone all its own. Indeed, for children who have felt like outsiders their whole lives by virtue of their disability, being accepted and recognized by teammates fosters a newfound sense of belonging and motivation that frankly, every one of us deserves.

Personal Bests and Records

Setting a personal record or achieving a new personal best time or score is a powerful milestone for any young athletes, disabled or not. These quantifiable milestones are demonstrations of growth and effort on the part of the young athlete.

Receiving Awards or Recognition

Being recognized by coaches, peers, or at competitions can boost a child’s self-esteem. At the same time, awards are physical representations that highlight their hard work on the field.

Overcoming Challenges

Remember, every athlete faces setbacks — injury, frustration, or difficulty learning a new skill. Overcoming these challenges is often difficult, but it is almost never impossible. Quitting is not an option, not if you want your child to learn resilience. Thus, returning to the sport when things get tough is a very important milestone, one worthy of celebration.

How Parents Can Celebrate Milestones in Adaptive Athletics

As with any sport, adaptive or otherwise, supporting your child in adaptive athletics is one of the best gifts you can give them. Here are some ways that you can celebrate their milestones meaningfully:

Acknowledge Effort, Not Just Results

Parents can celebrate progress and effort regardless of the outcome. The best thing to do is to praise your child for showing up, trying hard, and supporting their teammates. It’s easy, it’s effective, and it will make them a better player.

Create Personal Celebrations

Whether it’s a small party, a special meal, or a favorite treat, celebrating milestones with their child will do wonders for morale. They will appreciate whatever you do, but do try and tailor celebrations to what motivates them and makes them happy.

Encourage Goal Setting

We all want our kids to be the best they can, but its also a good idea to be practical about it. Help your child set realistic, achievable goals for themselves and remember to celebrate when they reach them. This will reinforce a sense of accomplishment.

Connect with the Adaptive Athletics Community

Don’t go it alone! Reach out to others, join parent groups, attend workshops, and participate in events with other parents and members of these adaptive sports organizations. Be present too and attend games or even practices. Being present will show your unwavering support. Also, connecting with others in similar situations can offer valuable resources and emotional support.

Future of Adaptive Athletics: More Milestones Ahead

Fortunately, the future of adaptive athletics for children is brighter than ever! Continual advances in technology, growing awareness, and increased funding are creating more opportunities for kids with each passing year. Parents with children enrolled in adaptive sports can look forward to: more inclusive leagues, advanced adaptive equipment, better training and better trained coaches, more support from governments and communities, and increased media coverage, in the coming years. And with each new development, there will assuredly be new milestones for children to achieve and celebrate.

Cultured Athlete Says…

As you can see, celebrating milestones in adaptive athletics is about honoring your child’s journey and growth, not just their quantifiable achievements. Parents of children with disabilities, should see these moments are opportunities to build their child’s confidence, encourage perseverance, and deepen the bonds that already exist within their family, as well as creating new bonds with peers and those in similar situations.

As time marches on, adaptive sports are becoming more of an accessible norm than they ever were and that means that new opportunities and advancements are likely to present themselves in the near future. In the end, we all agree that a child’s athletic achievements should be recognized, whether they are disabled or not. Adaptive sports gives children the chance to meet those achievements and become a part of the world in ways that generations of people with disabilities simply could not. For us here at Cultured Athlete, this is a present and a future that we’re glad to be a part of.