Special Olympics Launches New "Young Athletes" Program

The program is designed for children ages two to seven with and without intellectual disabilities.

Photo provided.

(Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, Ind.) - Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties is thrilled to announce the introduction of their newest initiative: Special Olympics’ Young Athletes program. Special Olympics, Inc. first piloted the program in 2005-06 in eleven countries, including the United States. In the United States, programs were piloted in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Delaware, and California. The program will be the first in the state of Indiana, setting a new precedent for early childhood sports and inclusion.

The Young Athletes program is an innovative sports play program designed for children ages two to seven with and without intellectual disabilities. The program focuses on fundamental motor skills development, including running, kicking, and throwing, all within a fun and inclusive environment. By fostering these skills early on, the Young Athletes program aims to build a foundation for future participation in various sports and promote lifelong physical activity.

Young Athletes provides children of all abilities the same opportunities to advance in core developmental milestones. Children learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. Children also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills help children in family, community and school activities.

Studies show that after two months of participation in Young Athletes, children with intellectual disabilities experienced a seven month gain in motor skills, representing an improvement at twice the rate of children with intellectual disabilities who have not participated in the program. The benefits of Young Athletes persisted consistently after the program ended; at five and ten month follow up intervals, children who participated maintained a four-month advantage in development in two of the three key areas of human and motor development. A 2018 study found that, after participating in Young Athletes, family members reported significant positive increases in both their own attitudes towards their child and those of community members towards their child with intellectual disabilities.

The inaugural eight-week session of Young Athletes will begin on Tuesday, August 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Lawrenceburg Community Center. The center is located at 423 Walnut Street in downtown Lawrenceburg. Sessions will continue for the next seven weeks on Tuesday of each week; with a culminating event on Tuesday, October 22nd.

In addition to the program launch, Special Olympics is excited to host a Young Athletes Expo at their annual Fire Truck Pull on Saturday, August 10th at the Lawrenceburg Civic Park from noon to 4:00 p.m. This event will be the perfect opportunity for parents and children to experience some of the activities offered in the Young Athletes program, learn more about its benefits, and register for the upcoming sessions.

Yvonda Kramer, Young Athletes Coordinator of Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, expressed enthusiasm about the new initiative: "We are incredibly excited to bring the Young Athletes program to our community. This program not only supports the physical development of young children but also fosters inclusion, understanding, and friendship from an early age. We are honored to be the first and only county program in Indiana to offer this transformative experience."

The launch of the Young Athletes program has been made possible through a generous grant from the Dearborn Community Foundation. Their commitment to promoting inclusive health and community development has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

"We are deeply grateful to the Dearborn Community Foundation and the City of Lawrenceburg Youth Grant Program for their unwavering support," said Greg Townsend, County Coordinator of Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties. "Their contribution will ensure that our young athletes have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive," added Townsend.

After the initial launch, the program’s goal is to offer additional 8-week sessions in various communities throughout Ripley, Ohio and Dearborn counties.

Special Olympics invites families, community members, and local media to join us for the inaugural session and witness the positive impact of this program firsthand.

For more information and/or to register for the Young Athletes program, please visit soindiana-rod.org/youngathletes or email youngathletes@soindiana-rod.org.