|
CHILDREN
AND ADOLESCENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
Frequently
Asked Questions About Physical Activity and Children
and and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs
My
son has cystic fibrosis. How often can he participate
in physical activity?
If
your son's condition is stable, encourage him to
participate in physical activity every day. Encourage
him to try a variety of activities so he can find
activities that he enjoys and that are appropriate
for him. If your son participates in physical activity
during hot weather, make sure he eats foods that
contain extra salt (for example, saltines, pretzels,
and sports drinks) and drinks more water. If your
son also has severe lung disease (lung capacity
below 50 percent), take him to a health professional
specializing in special health care needs for physical
activity testing to evaluate his ability to participate
in physical activity.
My
daughter has a mild cardiac disorder. I'm worried
about letting her participate in physical education.
Should I ask that she be excused from the class?
Most
children and adolescents with special health care
needs can safely participate in physical education
classes. Children and adolescents with mild cardiac
disorders can participate in most class activities
(for example, running and playing volleyball).
Even children and adolescents with moderate to
severe cardiac disorders can participate in low-intensity
activities. Take your daughter to a health professional
regularly to have her health status assessed and
receive guidance on an appropriate level of participation
in physical activity. Discuss your daughter's condition,
abilities, and any activity restrictions with the
physical education teacher.
My
son, who has cerebral palsy, is about to start
kindergarten. I'm afraid he'll get hurt playing
with the other children. What should I do?
It
is important for your son's physical and emotional
health that he play with his classmates. Discuss
your son's condition with his teacher. Assure the
teacher that your son can participate in most activities,
although he may require some assistance, and tell
the teacher that he needs adult supervision when
he is on playground equipment such as slides and
climbing equipment. Discuss risks, injury prevention
strategies, and how to handle emergencies.
My
daughter has Down syndrome and wants to join
a community baseball team. Is this OK?
If your
daughter has no cardiac problems, she can safely
participate in most physical activities. Participation
in physical activity with others (for example,
baseball and soccer) helps children and adolescents
enhance their cognitive, creative, and motor
skills. These activities are especially important
for children and adolescents with special health
care needs because they offer opportunities for
them to socialize with their peers. Discuss your
daughter's condition with the coach and provide
written materials on her condition if possible.
Resources
for Families
See
Tool F: Physical Activity Resources for
contact information on national organizations
that can provide information on physical activity.
State and local departments of public health
and education and local libraries are additional
sources of information.
Capper
L. 1996. That's My Child: Strategies for Parents
of Children with Disabilities. Washington, DC:
Child and Family Press.
Goldberg
B, ed. 1995. Sports and Exercise for Children
with Chronic Health Conditions. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics.
Greenstein
D, Miner N, Kudela E, Bloom S. 1997. Backyards
and Butterflies: Ways to Include Children with
Disabilities in Outdoor Activities. Brookline,
MA: Brookline Village Books.
Harris
SL. 1994. Siblings of Children with Autism: A
Guide for Families. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
Marl
K. 2000. The Accessible Games Book. Philadelphia,
PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
|
