Many parents of special needs children lament their children being left out of sports programs and other games at school. While many schools are supportive of the mainstreaming and inclusion method for education, special needs children are often left behind when it comes to sports. While many symptoms of special needs, including inattention, lack of impulse control, and trouble following directions make sports difficult, or it is problematic when schools and other programs try to set up a team. Sports programs are limited for those children with special needs, but the benefits these children can receive from a team activity is outstanding. Many children with special needs have difficulty interacting with peers, and the presence of bullying makes it challenging for some children to want to participate in sports programs. However, sports programs tailored to special needs children help encourage social interaction and working as a member of a team. Several of these programs include older and younger children, and the elders become mentors to the younger ones. Many parents of special needs children are calling for more sports programs — they say when a child is not stimulated, he just sits there. Parents view these programs as a way for children to receive stimulation, which is ultimately better for them. These stimulating activities improve both social interaction and physical capabilities. In addition to social benefits of sports programs, physical advantages also improve a child's life. Oftentimes through participation in sports programs and other physical activities, children with special needs...

Parents seek more sports programs for special needs kids, citing social and physical benefits, despite current limitations.

Sports Programs for Special Needs

Many parents of special needs children lament their children being left out of sports programs and other games at school. While many schools are supportive of the mainstreaming and inclusion method for education, special needs children are often left behind when it comes to sports. While many symptoms of special needs, including inattention, lack of impulse control, and trouble following directions make sports difficult, or it is problematic when schools and other programs try to set up a team. Sports programs are limited for those children with special needs, but the benefits these children can receive from a team activity is outstanding. Many children with special needs have difficulty interacting with peers, and the presence of bullying makes it challenging for some children to want to participate in sports programs. However, sports programs tailored to special needs children help encourage social interaction and working as a member of a team. Several of these programs include older and younger children, and the elders become mentors to the younger ones. Many parents of special needs children are calling for more sports programs — they say when a child is not stimulated, he just sits there. Parents view these programs as a way for children to receive stimulation, which is ultimately better for them. These stimulating activities improve both social interaction and physical capabilities. In addition to social benefits of sports programs, physical advantages also improve a child's life. Oftentimes through participation in sports programs and other physical activities, children with special needs...

Parents seek more sports programs for special needs kids, citing social and physical benefits, despite current limitations.

Sports Programs for Special Needs

The Trump administration announced on March 27, 2025 the elimination of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that funds Centers for Independent Living, caregiver support programs, disability research, and civil rights protections for people with disabilities. Today, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying before the House Appropriations Committee defending this restructuring as part of a broader HHS budget proposal that cuts discretionary spending by approximately 12.5% compared to 2026 levels. The elimination affects programs that millions of families with disabilities depend on for navigation services, home and community-based support, and advocacy infrastructure. What ACL Does. ACL was created around the principle that all people, regardless of age or disability, should be able to live independently and participate fully in their communities. The agency funds services provided primarily by states and networks of community-based programs, supporting more than 12.8 million older adults and people with disabilities each year. Key programs include: Centers for Independent Living (CILs): Local organizations that help families navigate disability services, access assistive technology, and advocate for their rights. CILs are consumer-controlled, meaning they're run by and for people with disabilities. National Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides respite care, counseling, and training for family members who care for older adults and people with disabilities. National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR): Funds research on assistive technology, employment outcomes, and policies that advance community living. Elder rights programs: Including the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Adult...

ACL elimination threatens Centers for Independent Living, caregiver support, and disability rights protections families rely on.

The Federal Agency That Funds Independence for People with Disabilities Is Being Eliminated. Here's What Families Need to Know.

The Trump administration announced on March 27, 2025 the elimination of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the federal agency that funds Centers for Independent Living, caregiver support programs, disability research, and civil rights protections for people with disabilities. Today, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is testifying before the House Appropriations Committee defending this restructuring as part of a broader HHS budget proposal that cuts discretionary spending by approximately 12.5% compared to 2026 levels. The elimination affects programs that millions of families with disabilities depend on for navigation services, home and community-based support, and advocacy infrastructure. What ACL Does. ACL was created around the principle that all people, regardless of age or disability, should be able to live independently and participate fully in their communities. The agency funds services provided primarily by states and networks of community-based programs, supporting more than 12.8 million older adults and people with disabilities each year. Key programs include:   Centers for Independent Living (CILs): Local organizations that help families navigate disability services, access assistive technology, and advocate for their rights. CILs are consumer-controlled, meaning they're run by and for people with disabilities.  National Family Caregiver Support Program: Provides respite care, counseling, and training for family members who care for older adults and people with disabilities.  National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR): Funds research on assistive technology, employment outcomes, and policies that advance community living.  Elder rights programs: Including the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Adult...

ACL elimination threatens Centers for Independent Living, caregiver support, and disability rights protections families rely on.

The Federal Agency That Funds Independence for People with Disabilities Is Being Eliminated. Here's What Families Need to Know.

Dear Developmental Doc: I am a big 'foodie' and am starting to get excited about planning the menu for a grand Thanksgiving meal for my friends and family. My problem is that my nephew is autistic and is beyond picky about what he puts into his mouth. My sister has already offered not to come if that would make things easier, but I really want our whole family together for the holidays. I recently read about gluten free/casein free diet that could actually help autistic kids recover. Is that true and if so, how could I convert my kitchen so that my nephew might really benefit? Lauren W., Los Angeles, CA. Dear Lauren, First, let me tell you what a wonderful aunt and sister you are to be thinking of every which way to include your nephew at your Thanksgiving table, expand his emotional experiences and in fact, try to help him overcome his autism. The gluten free/casein free diet (the elimination of wheat and dairy products) is based on the idea that gluten and casein produce substances (peptides) in the intestine that are not fully processed by children with autism and therefore are transmitted to the brain, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters (Whitely & Shattock, 2002). There are some preliminary data to suggest that elimination of gluten and casein from the diet of autistic children may reduce symptoms (Lucarelli et al. 1995). More recently, Elder et al. (2006) reported positive...

Aunt seeks advice on a gluten/casein-free diet for autistic nephew to include him in Thanksgiving.

"Ask the Developmental Doc" A Thanksgiving Dilemma

 Dear Developmental Doc:   I am a big 'foodie' and am starting to get excited about planning the menu for a grand Thanksgiving meal for my friends and family. My problem is that my nephew is autistic and is beyond picky about what he puts into his mouth. My sister has already offered not to come if that would make things easier, but I really want our whole family together for the holidays. I recently read about gluten free/casein free diet that could actually help autistic kids recover. Is that true and if so, how could I convert my kitchen so that my nephew might really benefit? Lauren W., Los Angeles, CA.       Dear Lauren, First, let me tell you what a wonderful aunt and sister you are to be thinking of every which way to include your nephew at your Thanksgiving table, expand his emotional experiences and in fact, try to help him overcome his autism. The gluten free/casein free diet (the elimination of wheat and dairy products) is based on the idea that gluten and casein produce substances (peptides) in the intestine that are not fully processed by children with autism and therefore are transmitted to the brain, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters (Whitely & Shattock, 2002). There are some preliminary data to suggest that elimination of gluten and casein from the diet of autistic children may reduce symptoms (Lucarelli et al. 1995). More recently, Elder et al. (2006) reported positive...

Many researchers, scientists, doctors, therapists, parents, and caregivers agree that early intervention is the key to improving autism symptoms and helping children with autism reach a high-functioning state. But can we detect autism early enough to make an impact? Dr. Ledbetter at LSU Health Shreveport is investigating if brain changes and functioning can be seen after cognitive skills training, and through the use of MRIs and brain imaging, this study shows the impact of cognitive intervention. Other studies around the world are looking at the brain for answers. While autism is typically not diagnosed before age 2, researchers now suggest they can detect signs of autism as early as 6 months of age. Researchers reporting for the American Journal of Psychiatry introduce fractional anisotropy, which measures the density of white matter in the brain, which is responsible for neuropathways and connections between various regions of the brain. This brain imaging technology measures the diffusion of water through nerves to determine the density of myelin, which coats each nerve, connects nerves together, and suggests the density of neural connections within the brain. The study involves 92 children from the Brain Imaging Study Network — all infants were considered at high-risk for autism due to elder siblings with the disorder. Scientists measured brain density at ages 6, 12, and 24 months, and compared the results to those children who ended up with a diagnosis of autism. Results show that those...

Studies indicate brain imaging could detect early signs of autism, potentially allowing earlier interventions for better outcomes.

Can Brain Imaging Detect Autism?

 Many researchers, scientists, doctors, therapists, parents, and caregivers agree that early intervention is the key to improving autism symptoms and helping children with autism reach a high-functioning state. But can we detect autism early enough to make an impact?    Dr. Ledbetter at LSU Health Shreveport is investigating if brain changes and functioning can be seen after cognitive skills training, and through the use of MRIs and brain imaging, this study shows the impact of cognitive intervention. Other studies around the world are looking at the brain for answers.   While autism is typically not diagnosed before age 2, researchers now suggest they can detect signs of autism as early as 6 months of age. Researchers reporting for the  American Journal of Psychiatry  introduce fractional anisotropy, which measures the density of white matter in the brain, which is responsible for neuropathways and connections between various regions of the brain.   This brain imaging technology measures the diffusion of water through nerves to determine the density of myelin, which coats each nerve, connects nerves together, and suggests the density of neural connections within the brain. The study involves 92 children from the Brain Imaging Study Network — all infants were considered at high-risk for autism due to elder siblings with the disorder. Scientists measured brain density at ages 6, 12, and 24 months, and compared the results to those children who ended up with a diagnosis of autism.   Results show that those...

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Special Needs
Articles

Sports Programs for Special Needs

The Federal Agency That Funds Independence for People with Disabilities Is Being Eliminated. Here's What Families Need to Know.

"Ask the Developmental Doc" A Thanksgiving Dilemma

Can Brain Imaging Detect Autism?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Sports Programs for Special Needs

The Federal Agency That Funds Independence for People with Disabilities Is Being Eliminated. Here's What Families Need to Know.

"Ask the Developmental Doc" A Thanksgiving Dilemma

Can Brain Imaging Detect Autism?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles