The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive guide for healthy living and sports activities to promote the mental and physical development of children and adults with special needs. From influential umbrella special needs athletic organizations to the sport specific programs, and from hiking and summer camps to dance classes and the performing arts, this resource guide will highlight organizations and programs that can help find or inspire the activity that is best for people living with special needs.

NATIONAL SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETIC ORGANIZATIONS

These organizations are available all across the country and provide resources to help locate a chapter or programs available in local communities. Additionally, they provide a broad range of sports and activities that will allow participation for all persons with special needs.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

One of the largest and most recognizable organizations for people with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics organization is a global operation with the mission of creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every single person is accepted and welcomed, regardless of ability or disability." To get involved with the Special Olympics or to sign up an athlete, use the program locator link to find your closest Special Olympics office specialolympics.org/program_locator.aspx specialolympics.org

DISABLED SPORTS USA (DSUSA)

Disabled Sports USA's mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs. They serve over 60,000 youth, wounded warriors and adults through a nationwide network of over 120 community-based chapters in more than 40 states nationwide and over 50 different sports are offered. To become an athlete, go to disabledsportsusa.org/location-map and find the local chapter. disabledsportsusa.org

NATIONAL CENTER ON HEALTH, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND DISABILITY (NCHPAD)

Founded in 1999, the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) is a public health practice and resource center on health promotion for people with disability. NCHPAD seeks to help people with disability and other chronic health conditions achieve health benefits through increased participation in all types of physical and social activities, including fitness and aquatic activities, recreational and sports programs, adaptive equipment usage, and more. ncpad.org

MY CHILD WITHOUT LIMITS

MyChildWithoutLimits.org is reliable resource for families of young children ages 0-5 with developmental delays or disabilities, and professionals looking for a single, trusted, aggregate source of information that relates to their needs and interests. Check out the "ACT" section of the site for a variety of physical activities and programs for children with disabilities. mychildwithoutlimits.org

BLAZESPORTS AMERICA (U.S. DISABLED ATHLETES FUND)

With a focus on people with physical disabilities BlazeSports, wants to change lives through sport and adaptive activities. Focused mainly in the states of Georgia, Florida and Virginia, BlazeSports has a network of trainers and programs across the country based on the sport of interest. To sign up for a team or to get more information you can check out their website or email info@blazesports.org blazesports.com

UPLIFTING ATHLETES INC

Uplifting Athletes' mission is to inspire the rare disease community with hope through the power of sport. Among Uplifting Athletes initiatives is its Uplifting Experiences program which works with its network of college football chapters to engage the rare disease community and to provide unique and memorable experiences for rare disease patients in the local communities of the chapters. For the last four years Uplifting Athletes has held a bowling event in South Bend, IN with the Notre Dame Chapter of Uplifting Athletes where Notre Dame football players go bowling with children with special needs and rare diseases. Uplifting Athletes will be rolling that program out of all of its chapters in 2018. To find out more or to get in touch with a chapter reach out to rob.long@upliftingathletes.org upliftingathletes.org

REGIONAL SPECIAL NEEDS CENTERS

The regional sports centers are tremendous facilities that cater to the needs of children and adults with special needs. The National Ability Center is even able to offer scholarships to help curb the cost to the families of children with special needs. The National Sports Center for the Disabled operates out of Winter Park Resort and Mile High Stadium in Colorado while the National Ability Center is in Park City, Utah.

NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER FOR THE DISABLED

The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is one of the largest outdoor therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports agencies in the world, based out of Winter Park Resort and Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Colorado. The NSCD began in 1970 providing ski lessons for children with amputations for the Children's Hospital of Denver. "Each year more than 3,000 children and adults with disabilities participate in our programs to learn more about sports and themselves. With specially trained staff and volunteers, and its own adaptive equipment lab, the NSCD teaches a variety of year-round sports and activities to individuals with almost any physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioral diagnosis." nscd.org

NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER

Founded in 1985, the National Ability Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that has united around a collective vision to inspire individual achievement and create a global impact for people of all abilities. "A fundamental aspiration of the National Ability Center is to provide high-quality, inclusive programs to individuals and families of all abilities and backgrounds, including those in need. Thanks to the generous support of individual donors, grants from private corporations and foundations, and the community, we have successfully provided scholarships to 100% of those who made a request and continue to keep program fees affordable (program fees account for less than 30% of the total cost of programming)." discovernac.org

YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

All of these programs are extensions of current community youth sports programs and should be available across the country. Each of the leagues provide resources to getting a local team started or joining an existing team. Available sports are softball, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, and flag football. "Participating in sports can help instill a sense of self-confidence and improve skills in relationship building and working as part of a team." (urmc.rochester.edu)

BAMBINO BUDDY BASEBALL/ SOFTBALL

"Babe Ruth League, Inc. believes that every child has the right to participate in the games of baseball and softball. We have always encouraged our member leagues to accept all players regardless of their physical or mental ability. The Bambino Buddy-Ball Division was established for organizations who wish to charter a league that encompasses players ages 5-19 who are either physically and/or mentally challenged. This division makes allowance for a 'buddy' to help the player swing a bat, round the bases, catch a ball, etc. There are no restrictions to the age of the 'buddy'. A Bambino Buddy-Ball team may be comprised of players ages 5-19 and sometimes older. The Bambino Buddy-Ball division is designed so that everyone has the opportunity to have fun." baberuthleague.org/bambino-buddy-ball.aspx

CHALLENGER DIVISION LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Flexibility and adaptability are key during Challenger games. Little League provides all chartered teams with a rulebook that includes a best practices guide to operating a Challenger Game. Today, more than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide. For more information email challenger@LittleLeague.org littleleague.org/learn/about/divisions/challenger.htm

BOUNCE OUT THE STIGMA BASKETBALL CLINICS

The goal of The Bounce Out the Stigma Project™ is to inspire and educate young people with special needs, through the creation and supporting of signature programs promoting healthy lifestyle choices. "To make every child we come in contact with feel special regardless of labels assigned to them. To remove the scars of stigma children feel because they are made to feel different. Through our programs the Project looks to create opportunities, and a sense of awareness of disabilities in the community. Our aim is to see children affected grow up successfully and become empowered leaders of tomorrow." bounceoutthestigma.org/basketball-programs-for-special-needs-children

FLAG FOOTBALL CHALLENGER DIVISION

The mission of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to bring the Pop Warner experience to those special needs individuals. Pop Warner's overall goals are to enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment and by establishing a Challenger Division Pop Warner is providing an opportunity for everyone to participate in the great game of football. popwarner.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1476179

TOP SOCCER

TOPSoccer is a modified version of the game of soccer, designed to provide opportunities for special needs children ages 4-19. It provides a very affordable opportunity for fitness, fun and building self-esteem. Modifications are made to the game to allow full participation and enjoyment to each child. One-on-one assistance is available to those who need it. It offers a recreational, leisure approach to the game of soccer. TOPSoccer is coordinated through your local soccer community organization. topsoccer.us

SPECIAL HOCKEY

Special hockey programs have been established over 30 cities in the United States. The goal of special hockey is to give people with physical and developmental disabilities the chance to play the sport of ice hockey in an environment which is adapted to the level of ability. The athletes play upright and in most cases offsides, icing, penalties etc. are not part of gameplay. Special Hockey emphasizes players to have fun through teamwork, social interaction, and improving the quality of life through on and off ice activities. usahockey.com/specialhockey.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, HIKING AND SUMMER CAMPS

 According to The Learning Lodge (thelearninglodgeinramsey.com) , there are mental, physical and social benefits to taking children with special needs outdoors. Organizations like Hike it Baby provide starting place for outside adventures.

HIKE IT BABY

Hike it Baby is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting families to one another and getting them outside with a focus on children from birth to school age. Hike it Baby provides guidelines and tips for hiking with children with special needs. A great resource for getting out and exploring the outdoors. hikeitbaby.com

VERY SPECIAL CAMPS

Very Special Camps is an online resource to find summer camps depending on the special needs of the child or adult and the ability to browse by state or province. veryspecialcamps.com

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

Friendship circle is an nonprofit organization out of Michigan with the goal of provide every individual with special needs the support friendship and inclusion that they deserve. They have about 25 camps for individuals with special needs. friendshipcircle.org

SUMMIT CAMP

Summit Camp & Travel is a therapeutically-designed sleepaway summer Camp and Travel program organized to meet the social and emotional needs of our special population and their families. "Our programs serve children of average to above average intelligence who have a variety of developmental, social, emotional, and learning issues. We serve children ages 8-19 who have diagnoses that often include Asperger syndrome, ADD/ADHD, verbal and non-verbal learning disabilities (NVLD), HFA (including PDD-NOS), speech and language issues, and sensory integration issues. Some of our youngsters may also have issues related to gaps in executive function, Tourette's syndrome and/or Bi-Polar disorder." summitcamp.com

DEVELOPING ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AT SCHOOL

SPECIAL NEEDS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

(SNAP) Special Needs Athletic Programs (SNAP, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization in Morristown, NJ created within the Morristown school district to inspire youth to work together through athletics, peer mentoring activities, and educational programs. SNAP's goals are to promote inclusion and ultimately raise awareness about the impact students can make in the lives of children with autism and other disabilities. To get a program for a local school district it is important to understand the ins and outs of PTA meetings, so here is a guide to PTA meetings for inclusion and being an advocate for children with special needs. snapclinics.org

DANCE PROGRAMS AND THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Friendship Circle (friendshipcircle.org) details the proven importance of the involvement in the arts of children and adults with special needs. There are a few excellent examples of programs that help the special needs community build confidence, learn new movements and strengthen the mind.

A CHANCE TO DANCE

Based in Charlotte, NC, A Chance to Dance provides an opportunity for children who are differently abled to take dance classes and "giving the children a chance to shine." The program has been featured on the Today Show. Visit their website to sign up for classes. achancetodance.org

WHEELS AND BODIES IN MOTION

Wheels and Bodies in Motion is a local program in Lambertville, NJ that is a one-of-a-kind integrated dance experience for seated and standing dancers of all levels of abilities. The goal of the program is to learn new ways of moving and creating while establishing friendships with others. Sign up for the program through their website. roxeyballet.org/wheels-and-bodies-in-motion A

DANCE FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Dance for PD®, founded in 2001, offers specialized dance classes to people with Parkinson's, their families, friends and care partners in eight locations around New York City and through our network of affiliates in more than 100 communities in 20 countries around the world. Dance for PD classes allow people with Parkinson's to experience the joys and benefits of dance while creatively addressing symptom-specific concerns related to balance, cognition, motor skill, depression and physical confidence. danceforparkinsons.org

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Rob Long works as the Director of Strategic Development for Uplifting Athletes Inc. Uplifting Athletes works to raise awareness and fund research for the rare disease community. Rob was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer in 2010 and is currently a seven-year survivor. Rob attended Syracuse University for both his undergrad and masters programs. He was a four-year starter for the Syracuse University Football Team and a team captain as a junior and a senior.