What is the difference between Special Olympics and the Physically Challenged Sports?
The Special Olympics is a sports training and competition program for athletes with intellectual disabilities. As a general rule, if your school aged child is placed in a Moderately Mentally Disabled classroom (MOMD), Mildly Mentally Disabled classroom (MIMD), Severely Mentally Disabled classroom (SMD) or Multiply Disabled classroom (MD), the place for them to compete is Special Olympics. The Physically Challenged Programs are designed for athletes who have an orthopedic, neurological or sensory impairment. This can include, but not be limited to, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Amputee, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy and Blindness. As a general rule, potential athletes with physical disabilities who are still in school are those in the regular classrooms or the Orthopedically Impaired Classrooms (OI).
