Resource Directory for Athlete Follow-Up Care

A healthier athlete is a better athlete, right? It sounds like a simple enough premise, yet research studies conducted by Special Olympics found disturbing evidence that Special Olympics athletes, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities at large, face widespread health problems, while physicians, dentists and other health professionals are not receiving adequate training in order to treat them.

The research reinforces previous studies that found that despite the widespread belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities receive better health care than the rest of the population; people with intellectual disabilities actually have poorer health; more specialized health care needs and greater difficulty accessing health care services and doctors compared to the general public.

To address this issue, Special Olympics International created Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®!

 

 

It's our goal to screen as many athletes as possible during Area and State Games throughout the year. 

Oftentimes, the medical screener suggests that the athlete see his/her regular doctor or a dentist, podiatrist (foot doctor), audiologist (hearing specialist), ophthalmologist (eye doctor), for reasons outlined on the Report Card that is given to the athlete at the screening.

To assist you with finding a health provider that lives near you, we have created a Resource Directory for each of the 6 disciplines.

Medical follow-up with the right person will help ensure that your athlete gets the right care, and is able to perform their very best both on and off the playing field.   If you have trouble locating one of these health providers or someone from your community, please feel free to contact us or your county coordinator, as they also may know a medical provider in your community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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