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Health Disciplines

Strong Minds (Emotional Health)

Group of people in a gymnasium practicing yoga.
Strong Minds is an interactive learning activity focused on developing adaptive coping skills. Competition provides a natural opportunity to develop active strategies for maintaining emotional wellness under stress, such as thinking positive thoughts, releasing stress, and connecting with others. Strong Minds is currently being further developed to include formal mental health screening measures (i.e., CORE-LD30 and WEMWBS-ID) to identify athletes at-risk for mental health concerns. Screening results will inform a more robust referral system to connect these athletes with community-based healthcare professionals.

For more information, please contact strongminds@specialolympics.org.
Health Disciplines

FUNfitness (Physical Therapy) 

athlete laying on his back with his legs elevated reaching to touch his toes; two volunteers observe and encourage him.
A discipline of Healthy Athletes, FUNfitness is a physical therapy screening that examines the flexibility, strength, balance , and aerobic fitness of Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dysfunction in any of these areas can result in pain, discomfort, and sub-optimal activity performance in sports and everyday life. During these screenings, physical therapists, students and other related health professionals, identify areas of concern in the above areas to offer education and expert guidance on suggested follow-up care including exercise recommendations, sport-specific training and potential referral recommendations.

For more information, please contact us at funfitness@specialolympics.org.

Healthy Start

In this Healthy Start Toolkit, you will hear from other families and find resources to guide your child’s journey following a diagnosis of developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID).
Health Disciplines

Fit Feet (Podiatry) 

Adult male receiving a foot examination from a female volunteer; another volunteer takes notes and observes.
A discipline of Healthy Athletes, Fit Feet is a podiatric screening for Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that focuses on athletes’ ankle & foot health, lower extremity biomechanics, as well as footwear fit and condition. Many Special Olympics athletes are wearing the wrong size or type of shoes while competing, which can contribute to or worsen the presence of foot and ankle pain and dysfunction. Together, these issues can negatively impact an athletes’ navigation of everyday life and sport performance. During Fit Feet screenings, volunteer foot care specialists & students work with athletes to identify areas of concern. Using the results of the screening, volunteers provide athletes, coaches, families, and caregivers education on proper foot care and health to maximize the athlete’s ability to step lively onto the playing field of everyday life.

For more information, please contact us at fitfeet@specialolympics.org
Health Disciplines

Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® (Vision/Eye Health)

Opening Eyes - Eye Exam.jpg
A discipline of Healthy Athletes, the Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes program provides non–dilated vision screenings, refractions, and fabrication of prescription eyewear to Special Olympic athletes. Opening Eyes strives to positively impact the attitudes of the optometrists, ophthalmologist, opticians, eye care professionals, along with optometry students and ophthalmology residents, who volunteer to care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Opening Eyes Clinical Volunteers serve to educate the athletes, their guardians, and coaches about the importance of vision in performance in sports, school, and work. Through generous donations from our corporate sponsors, Safilo who provides frames, and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation who provides lenses, athletes will receive appropriate eyewear at the culmination of the screening.

The Opening Eyes screening does NOT replace a comprehensive eye exam, which includes dilation. Unified partners are not eligible to receive eyewear. Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, and guardians should be aware of this when present at the screening.

For more information, please contact us at openingeyes@specialolympics.org
European Football Week

European Football Week News

Special Olympics European Football Week is an annual campaign running every year in late spring, promoting inclusion in football across Europe and Eurasia. The campaign involves an estimated 35,000+ athletes and Unified partners in over 45 countries. With the support of our partners, European Football Week aims at creating new sports opportunities for our athletes starting at grassroots level and building up to international events.
Healthy Start

Understanding My Child’s Future

Individuals with developmental delay (DD) and intellectual disability (ID) can lead fulfilling lives. With the right preparation, many individuals with ID can attend school, live independently, work in their communities, and show us their unique perspective and experience of the world.

Healthy Communities

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Please use the approved Special Olympics resources below to guide your year-round health work. At the top of the page, you will also find information for managing your 12-month Healthy Communities Impact Grant.
Healthy Start

Taking Care of Yourself

While you are trying to give all the attention to address your child’s needs, it is important to remember to take good care of yourself. Maintaining your own health will give you the strength to better support your child. A few ways to maintain your wellbeing may include: practicing mindfulness, exercising, spending time with your other children, spouse and friends, and taking time for yourself.
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