Resource Directory for Athlete Follow-Up Care

A healthier athlete is a better athlete, right? It sounds like a simple enough premise, yet research studies conducted by Special Olympics found disturbing evidence that Special Olympics athletes, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities at large, face widespread health problems, while physicians, dentists and other health professionals are not receiving adequate training in order to treat them.

The research reinforces previous studies that found that despite the widespread belief that individuals with intellectual disabilities receive better health care than the rest of the population; people with intellectual disabilities actually have poorer health; more specialized health care needs and greater difficulty accessing health care services and doctors compared to the general public.

To address this issue, Special Olympics International created Special Olympics Healthy Athletes®!

 

 

It's our goal to screen as many athletes as possible during Area and State Games throughout the year. 

Oftentimes, the medical screener suggests that the athlete see his/her regular doctor or a dentist, podiatrist (foot doctor), audiologist (hearing specialist), ophthalmologist (eye doctor), for reasons outlined on the Report Card that is given to the athlete at the screening.

To assist you with finding a health provider that lives near you, we have created a Resource Directory for each of the 6 disciplines.

Medical follow-up with the right person will help ensure that your athlete gets the right care, and is able to perform their very best both on and off the playing field.   If you have trouble locating one of these health providers or someone from your community, please feel free to contact us or your county coordinator, as they also may know a medical provider in your community.

 

 

 

 

Official message from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Get the Facts About Children’s Health Insurance

Make sure kids aren’t sidelined this season because they don’t have health insurance. Florida KidCare* is a free or low-cost health insurance program that can get your team covered and get them in the game.

Did you know that...

• Florida KidCare is available for kids 18 years old or younger.
• A family of four with an income up to $44,000 a year can get their kids covered.
• Kids can get doctor and dentist visits, vision and hearing care, hospital care, mental health services, regular check-ups and shots, and needed treatment, including prescription drugs.
• Even if families have been turned down in the past, they may be able to get their children health coverage now.
• Kids are covered on and off the field and can stay protected even after the sports season is over.

Call 888-540-KIDS or visit FloridaKidCare.org

Dowload/view Florida KidCare flyer

* Get Covered is a  program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Florida KidCare is a program of the state of Florida.  These programs are not administered by Special Olympics Florida.