MMI, Special Olympics Nebraska team on program

Sitting on the gym floor at Birchcrest Elementary School in Bellevue, Arya is using a plastic ball to knock down a row of plastic bowling pins. Around her, volunteers from the Munroe-Meyer Institute and Special Olympics Nebraska applaud and cheer when she scatters the pins, drawing a smile from the 6-year-old.

Arya gives her partner a hug at a recent session of the Young Athletes Program.

Arya, who has Down syndrome, is one of 35 children, ages 2-7, taking part in the Young Athletes Program, a collaboration between Special Olympics Nebraska and MMI LEND students that introduces children, with and without disabilities, to the building blocks of sports.

“The program sets the stage for kids to start becoming physically active, to build friendships, learn sports skills and increase participation in sports,” said Elizabeth Fortin, D.P.T., who is leading the effort for MMI. “They’ll learn to play with others, take turns, basic sports skills such as running, kicking and throwing.”

Alisa Hoffman of Special Olympics Nebraska said the organization was pleased to have MMI LEND involved and Dr. Fortin leading the program.

“They secure the facility and volunteers that are vital to the program,” she said. “Additional physical therapy LEND students volunteer and help plan the weekly sessions.”

The volunteers get to work one-on-one with the participants to hone their skills providing therapy through play, she said.

Each week during the eight-week program, the staff focuses on a specific, age-appropriate sports skill.

“We’ll have stations to learn that skill and get the repetition and practice in,” Dr. Fortin said. “About halfway through each class, we’ll play a group game to involve that skill. At the end of each session, we’ll play another group game to help use and integrate the skill while participating together.”

The goal of the program depends on what each participant or their parents want, she said. “Down the line, Special Olympics has a million and one wonderful sports programs, and the Bellevue Schools also have inclusive programs.”

Arya will begin playing in the inclusive TOPS soccer league shortly after the eight-week class finishes, one reason her mother, Chelsea, enrolled her in the Young Athletes program.

“This program is right before the soccer season, so it gives her the ability to learn social skills, learn how to follow direction, and hopefully learn ball control, kicking, things like that,” Chelsea said.

“I really liked that this was a program that integrated average kiddos with kiddos who also had disabilities,” she said.

It’s only the second week, but Chelsea is pleased with what she’s seeing.

“The moment she gets in here, she’s running her volunteer wild, and she definitely is not afraid to go and hug others,” Chelsea said. “She’s been very hands-on with other people, and I think that shows this program has been helping. It’s bringing out the active, social side of her — she’s not afraid or timid to go up and say hello to others.

“It’s been neat to see how she fits in with everybody.”

Hoffman called the program a fun way for kids to get fit.

“It is important to teach children healthy habits while they are young,” she said. “This can set the stage for a life of physical activity, friendships and learning. While the kids are playing the parents get to watch their kids play and talk with other parents to form a support network of other parents who they can relate to.”