Youth Para and Adaptive Sports Medicine

Physical Activity and Sports Participation among Children and Adolescents with Disabilities

Approximately 25% of children in the United States participate in appropriate amounts of physical activity. That percentage is even lower for children with disabilities. Adaptive sports and physical activity opportunities are increasing in the United States. Health care providers are encouraged to discuss physical activity in the clinical setting and to help to promote physical activity for all individuals, including children with disabilities.

New Directions in Dance Medicine: Dancers with Disabilities, Blindness/Low Vision, and/or Deafness/Hard of Hearing

This article explores relevant issues in dance medicine for dancers with disabilities, blindness/low vision, and/or deafness/hard of hearing (DWDBD). Within dance medicine and science, there has been minimal focus on DWDBD. Little is known about injury patterns, injury prevention, or wellness strategies for DWDBD. However, there are increasing numbers of dance programs and companies involving DWDBD at preprofessional and professional levels. This article reviews the history and experience of DWDBD and offers best guidance regarding dance medicine considerations for DWDBD based on the limited research and evidence that exists, extrapolation from para/adaptive sports medicine literature, and expert opinion.

Health Care Delivery, Patient Resources, and Community Reintegration

When providing health care services, clinicians should provide patient-centered and family-centered care. When providing care for medically complex patients, it is important to think about how health care teams are working together to care for patients. Health care providers need to think about how they can guide their patients to become more independent, have an improved quality of life, and have improved access to their homes and community environments when possible. Clinicians need to recognize the importance of caregivers and the burdens that are put on caregivers. Clinicians should provide support to caregivers whenever possible.