Sports for Kids With Physical Disabilities

Physical activity is important for children, including those with physical differences. A wide variety of sports can be adapted for children with physical disabilities. Sports that accommodate disabilities have grown to 17 international games, including three Olympic-level competitive games. Sports help build your child's self-esteem and sense of mastery. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability advises that before starting your child in a sport, seek the advice of your pediatrician.

  1. Wheelchair Team Sports

    • Wheelchair team sports are great for a child who has a team-oriented spirit. Wheelchair team sports are a good option for children with spinal cord injuries or lower-body amputations because they do not require leg use. Wheelchair team sports follow the same rules as regular sports, but include modifications to accommodate physical disabilities. For example, in wheelchair volleyball and basketball, players use their wheelchairs to move around the court. The court is made smaller, and the net is lowered.

    Solitary Sports

    • Archery, darts, target shooting and hand-pedaled biking provide good options for children who prefer solitary sports. This category of sports helps improve your child's focus, patience and self-confidence. Another benefit of this category of sports is that it is not about winning or losing. Additionally, no set pace is required, allowing your child to take as much time as needed.

    Adaptive Equipment

    • Most sports can be adapted to accommodate your child's needs. For example, a mono-ski is a modified snow ski that allows your child to ski sitting down. You can find similar equipment for snowboarding and water skiing. For sports such as ice hockey, you can purchase an adaptive sled with adjustable tilted back for comfort and support.

    Considerations

    • A child with a physical disability often has the same desire for sports as a nondisabled child. Most children with physical disabilities think of themselves as differently-abled instead of disabled. Start by asking your child what sport he would like to play, then consider how that sport can be adapted to fit your child's needs. Many cities have sports programs and camps for children with physical disabilities as well.