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Description

Children with disabilities are less likely to participate in adaptive sports or physical activity than typically developing children, despite the proven benefits adaptive sports provide for physical, social, and emotional well-being. Adaptive sports can be modified to accommodate a variety of ability levels and can improve quality of life (QoL) of children with disabilities through enhanced mobility, social participation, and self efficacy. However many occupational therapists (OTs) underutilize adaptive sports within their practice and are unaware of their role in promoting participation and of resources within their community. Guided by the Synthesis of Child, Occupational Performance, and Environment in Time (SCOPE-IT) frame of reference, this project explores how OTs can be advocates for, support, and facilitate access to adaptive sports for children with disabilities. By providing OTs with community resources within the San Antonio community, this guidebook aims to bridge knowledge gaps, empower OTs to advocate and integrate adaptive sports into their scope of practice, and overall enhance the QoL for children with disabilities.

Publication Date

Summer 8-20-2025

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Quality of life, Adaptive sports, Well-being, Children

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational therapists, Disabled children, Sports for persons with disabilities

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Summer 2025.

Expanding Occupational Therapists’ Role in Youth Adaptive Sports: A Comprehensive Guidebook

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