The Special Olympics is a free program that brings young athletes, parents and volunteers together for team sports events all year round. Whether it's basketball, soccer, skiing or track and field, the Special Olympics has something for everyone. A common misconception is that children must have a severe physical disability to participate. However, the Special Olympics website dispels this myth: "To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, athletes must have an intellectual disability; a cognitive delay, or a development disability, that is, functional limitations in both general learning and adaptive skills." Any child, age eight and up, with an individual education plan or doctor's note verifying a developmental delay can join Special Olympics. Parents of younger children should enroll them in the Younger Athletes programs.
Parents should contact the Special Olympics for information to start a chapter if there isn't one in their surrounding communities.
Homeschooled children are considered part of their school district's student population. Parents should look into extracurricular activities in their school district to see how to get their children involved. Many schools have clubs for theater, audiovisual technology, reading, science and chess. Older grades, usually starting at the high school level, also organize team sports. Parents should call their superintendent's office before contacting school administration to ensure proper protocol.
If children need special accommodations or resources to participate, parents should find out if a trained aide is available. Public schools must provide accommodations in the classroom and for extracurricular activities to their students with special needs. Parents should look into the Department of Education state regulations regarding homeschooled children and access to public schools.
Community Recreation Departments, the local library, local newspapers and news stations usually list community activities. Parents can find other parents in their area who home school their children by finding Meet-ups, online bulletin boards and networking. Weekly play dates can be scheduled at a local park, rotating houses or a community venue such as a library or church.
Support groups for specific disabilities such as autism, Asperger's Syndrome and cerebral palsy will help parents and children with special needs find relief and encouragement among their peers. Most support groups are free and schedule weekly or monthly activities in addition to support meetings.
Parents should schedule field trips into their children's educational curriculum. Art and science museums, tours of local businesses and theatrical performances teach culture and history. Field trips should coordinate with academia whenever possible. For example, if the curriculum has a segment on William Shakespeare or other playwrights, a play would compliment the text. Local business owners are often willing to take students behind the scenes to show how their businesses work. Parents should discuss lesson goals with business owners beforehand.