Physical Health
Maintaining optimal physical health encompasses a number of factors including diet, exercise, sleep, regular physical and dental checkups. Additional factors to be considered include mental health care, medications, therapy, personal assistants and other caregivers. Maintaining optimal health can be further complicated by the fact that between the ages of 18 and 22, youth exit secondary education, pediatric health care, Social Security, foster care and other youth-serving systems. After exiting services designed for youth, they then enter adult service systems that often have different terminology, eligibility requirements and service options. According to the Inclusive Fitness Coalition, people with disabilities are less physically active than people without disabilities. Being physically active is important to prevent health issues and also contribute to overall health and well-being. This page features some resources to support youth with disabilities to be physically active.
Resources
Internal
External
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC), Health Care Resources
This webpage from the FDDC features a listing of healthcare resources from fitness to insurance to stress management for people with developmental disabilities.
Inclusive Fitness Coalition
This coalition is an expanded group of organizations and individuals that represent a cross-section of the disability rights, sports, health/fitness and civil rights communities.
Special Olympics
Through year-round sports training and competition, Special Olympics empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries. Special Olympics often is the only place where they have an opportunity to participate in their communities and develop confidence in themselves. Many live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools or society. Transforming the athlete, Special Olympics sports are a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy.