Get Involved in Young Athletes!
A Local Program for You
There are over 175 country and US State Programs around the world implementing Young Athletes and helping children learn, play, and grow. Connect with your local program to learn about events, programming opportunities and resources in your area.
Young Athletes welcomes children and their families into the world of Special Olympics.
Young Athletes is run in one of three different settings: schools, communities and homes.
Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends play together at home with children using Young Athletes for activities and resources.
Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends play together at home with children using Young Athletes for activities and resources.
Teachers and therapists can use resources to support children in developing important motor, communication and learning skills.
Realizing the Bright Future of Your Child with an Intellectual Disability
A guide to support parents and families of children newly diagnosed with intellectual disabilities to help them step into the new world they will be experiencing.
Looking for more ways to engage with Special Olympics?
Learn more about other inclusive health programs that complement Young Athletes.
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).
Fitness is an important aspect of the Special Olympics mission. Physical activity, adequate nutrition and hydration enhance athletes’ sports performance and improve health and overall quality of life.
Family Health Forums provide a space for the families and caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities to engage with health professionals, community leaders and social service providers.
In 1997, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes began offering free health screenings and education to Special Olympics athletes in a welcoming, fun environment.
Young Athletes
Discover more about Young Athletes, find helpful resources and connect with us!