Healthy Athletes
Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care.
The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program offers health services and information to Special Olympics athletes. In the process, Special Olympics has become the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities.
In New Hampshire, we currently offer health exams in three areas at our State Summer Games – Healthy Hearing; Special Smiles; FUNFitness. The exams are conducted in a welcoming, fun environment. Our trained Healthy Athletes clinical directors and medical volunteers educate athletes on healthy lifestyle choices and identify problems that may need additional follow up.
The Special Smiles initiative includes dental hygiene education on quality brushing and flossing as well as information on nutrition to understand how their diet affects their total health. As part of the exams, athletes may be provided mouth guards, dental floss. In some cases, athletes may be referred for additional treatment that may be necessary and we are partnering with dentists around the state to support this.
The Healthy Hearing initiative includes screening for hearing impairments. As part of this exam, a written report of their results, including any follow up care that they may need, may be provided to each athlete.
The FUNFitness exam provides information about the importance of and methods to improve flexibility, functional strength and balance in sports performance and activities of daily living.
At the FUNFitness exam, the physical therapist assesses flexibility of the hamstring, calf, shoulder rotator, and hip flexor muscle, functional strength of the abdominal and lower extremity muscles, and balance.
Interested in learning more or getting started with Healthy Athletes?
If you are a health professional or if you know any health professionals interested in learning more about Healthy Athletes, how to become a Healthy Athletes Clinical Director or volunteer, or the steps to bring a new discipline to Special Olympics New Hampshire’s offerings, please contact Shelby at shelbyc@sonh.org or by phone at (603) 933-1093.
We are currently looking for trained medical professionals to help us in starting up new disciplines. If you have the following training and credentials and are interested in learning more, please let us know:
- Opening Eyes (Vision)
- Licensed optometrist, ophthalmologist, or certified eyecare practitioner credentialed according to regional standards and criteria to evaluate vision and eye health
- Three years of clinical experience post degree, or one year of residency
- Strong Minds (Mental Health)
- Certificate and current licensure as a Mental Health professional (ie. Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Counselor, Behavior Analyst, Nurse Practitioner, Physician.)
- Health Promotion (Prevention and Nutrition))
- A current credential or license to practice in a healthcare field which utilizes routine medical procedures. Examples include RD, RN, BSN, DTR, CHES, PA, MD, DO, PT, OT, EMT, kinesiology, chiropractor and/or a teaching certificate in a healthcare field.
- Three plus years of supervised hands-on clinical work experience in the health promotion field and/or their health care profession. Must include direct or group patient education, screening, care plan development. Experience may include up to 1 year in a supervised educational practicum.
- MedFest (History and Physical Exam)
- Licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner