Here are some ways you can support your child with an intellectual or learning disability:

1. Educate Yourself

You can be a better advocate by educating yourself about your child’s intellectual or learning disability. Researching, consulting with specialists and maintaining a list of things that your child might be struggling with is a great start. Once you’re aware of their challenges, you can come up with solutions to support them in their growth. Keep up to date with your child’s progress and keep educating yourself about further steps.  

Take the example of Joan Iven Jamora-Abello, whose son Joachim has autism and ADHD. He didn’t speak until age 3 and struggled to follow instructions or develop social skills. Joan equipped herself with knowledge by pursuing a Masters in Special Education.  Joachim became the subject of her thesis. As part of her internship, she worked at an Integrated School, for children with and without disabilities where Joachim was enrolled. He started behavioural therapy, special education classes, as well as a Special Olympics Young Athletes sport and play program to improve his motor, cognitive and social skills. Joan’s unwavering support helped Joachim find his confidence, and allowed him to develop his talent in sports, music, and the arts.

2. Encourage their independence 

Let your child try new things and encourage them to complete tasks by themselves. Provide guidance when it’s needed and give positive feedback when your child does something well or masters something new. Expose them to new experiences and social circles. Give them the confidence to fight and conquer their own battles. 

One such parent is Tehmina Azim whose son Asim was diagnosed with autism at the age of 5. He had speech and learning issues. Tehmina exposed Asim to sports at an early age. When he was 8, he travelled without his family, with his athletics team to his first Special Olympics competition in Lahore, where he won his first medal. At 14, she exposed him to a new sport – swimming. He was afraid to get into the pool at first, but his coach convinced her to let go. Today, Asim is a gold medalist, having represented Pakistan in swimming at the Special Olympics World Games. Tehmina’s advice to all parents of children with disabilities is not to hide them. She says, “Come out of your bubble, and receive support.”  

3. Involve them in group activities 

Enrolling them in art classes, athletic activities and social groups will help your child with intellectual disabilities build their social skills, confidence and advance in core developmental milestones. They learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. They can also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills will help them in family, community and school activities.

Fahsai Saejang was born with Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart. When she was 4, her parents enrolled her in Special Olympics Young Athletes, a sport and play program for children of all abilities at her school. She was encouraged to play games, and make friends with other children. She was shy before but eventually came out of her shell. She’s learnt to follow instructions and is now able to help her parents with chores. The physical activities have also made her stronger, and she is no longer on medication for her heart defect.  

Families are the number one fans of Special Olympics athletes worldwide. You give the type of love, support and encouragement that no one else can. Being a role model and source of strength for your children helps them with their growth. Find out how you can be a part of the family support network here.

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He’s going to find out, who’s naughty or nice, 

Santa Claus is coming to town! 🎵 

This giving season, meet these Special Olympics young athletes we feel deserve to make it to the top of Santa’s ‘Nice List’:  

1.  Fahsai – The Resilient 

Fahsai was born with Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart. Due to her poor health, she stayed home most of the time. While the kids in the neighborhood played, she could only watch quietly by the sidelines. But things changed when she joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. Her health gradually improved, and she found the confidence to make friends and take part in sports. Fahsai was recently selected to be a drum major at her school. She has also been helping her parents with chores at a fishball stall on weekends to supplement their household income. Giving up has never been an option for this gutsy 11-year-old!  

“My heart, my mind and spirit are strong. Nobody can stop me!” 

2. Prarry: The Courageous 

Meet Praetara Inthichit, lovingly called Prarry. She has Down Syndrome and is partially blind. When she was younger, she feared doing anything on her own and depended on her family to carry out even the smallest of tasks. She was shy and refrained from interacting with people and making friends. After her father found out about the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, her family encouraged her to go outside and play games with the children in her neighborhood. Now, she’s found the courage to step out of her comfort zone, and is no longer afraid to make friends and take on tasks.  

“Every step is a step forward. And that’s good enough for me!”

3. Gongpop: The Determined  

From not being able to sit still, to becoming a medal-winning athlete, Gongpop Kumyang has come a long way. He used to be overweight, had poor eating habits, and would fall sick often. But with the support of his coaches and volunteers from the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, he has since changed his sedentary lifestyle, lost weight and become healthier. These days, he helps his grandparents with daily chores like sweeping and washing the dishes. He also plays outside with the neighbors instead of watching TV. This young athlete has a dream – he’s determined to train and one day represent his country on the world stage. 

 “I have a disability, but it does not define me. My future is bright. The sky’s not the limit, it’s only just the beginning!” 

4. Joachim: The Enthusiastic 

Meet Joachim Isaac, lovingly known as ‘Akim’. He spoke his first word when he was 3 years old and was diagnosed soon after with autism. His parents were constantly worried about his development, because he was slower than other kids and had trouble following instructions. He was later diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) too. When he was 4, he joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. The exercises, games and morning obstacle courses became his favorite activities of the day. Over time, his motor and social skills improved. Now, he’s a competent swimmer who also loves to paint, sketch and sing. He’s even had his own art exhibition!  

“I know that life is filled with colors for me to explore and create, and to achieve my own milestones, in my own time.” 

5. Mai: The Spirited

Anusorn Prabkraisi, 11, is a die-hard football fan. Friends and family lovingly call him Mai. When he was 6, his love and passion for sport led him to become a part of the Special Olympics family. His teachers have observed his great hand-eye coordination and regard him as a pro at throwing and catching the ball. During lessons, he’s usually quiet but when it comes to football training or physical education classes, he comes alive! Sports make him feel energetic and free.   

“My coach believes that I will one day be a top athlete in the school. When I grow up, I can play football for Thailand!” 

Will these young ones make your Nice List too? Well, why don’t YOU be their Santa and give them the best gift of all, the gift of inclusion, the gift of a better, brighter future? We urge you to make this Christmas merry for thousands of young athletes with intellectual disabilities across Asia Pacific with a #GiftofInclusion!

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Over the past five years, we have traveled across the state to reach out to hundreds of parents in the rural villages to help them understand the importance of keeping their children with intellectual disabilities engaged in sport and play. Our message is clear – Do not hide your special children. Be proud of them, not ashamed.

People ask us, why we choose to do what we do. Our answer is simple: Every child deserves a chance and a head start in life, no matter their ability.

Working with our special children has left an indelible mark in both our lives. Anisha is a 6-year-old orphan with Down Syndrome. When we first met her, she was inactive and unable to count or identify colours. She struggled with simple instructions. Over months of activity with the Young Athletes program, she opened up and found her confidence. She’s now constantly smiling and often volunteers to help her teachers with tasks.

Samarpratap is an adorable 8-year-old who was born with a tumor in his brain. He joined us when he was 5. Back then, he was often engrossed in his own world and wouldn’t interact with others or listen to instructions. Now, Samar is an active child adept at roller-skating. Although he’s non-verbal, he’s able to express himself through gestures. He’s an affectionate child who gives the best hugs.

Watching the progress of children like Samarpratap and Anisha has been the best reward. It is what keeps us going, and spurs us on to think of new ideas to reach out to even more people in the community.

One of the most memorable events we organized was a mini Olympic-style sports meet in 2019. We reached out to all the special education schools in the area, and a total of 75 children from 7 schools took part. Parents, teachers, children with and without intellectual disabilities played sport together for the first time, and it was life-changing for so many of them.

We witnessed the delight on the faces of the children when they completed an obstacle course. We saw the joy and pride in the parents when they realized their children were capable of so much. We watched parents of children without disabilities change their attitudes when they saw how all the children were more alike than different. It was such an amazing display of social inclusion. We had teachers and parents asking us after the event if it was possible for us to organize something similar every month!

But there is so much more that needs to be done. We have met parents who still believe that there is no need to invest time in children with disabilities. They choose to keep them at home, out of sight, and away from the community.

We have made it our mission to ensure we leave no child behind. In 2018, we started an outreach program where we went door to door in the rural villages, showing parents videos of what we can do through Young Athletes, and encouraging them to let their children take part. Changing people’s mindsets is often a challenge. Not everyone understands. We’ve had people turn us away, or households even asking us for money in exchange for their children attending our program. It’s been an uphill task, but we refuse to give up.

Now because of the pandemic, outreach is limited. For our existing pool of young athletes, we have started weekly online classes which have been well received by families. We try to come up with different activities every week to keep our special children engaged and active. We must keep going.

The responsibility to help all children no matter what they’re born with, to have an equal opportunity in life lies on all of our shoulders. True inclusion is not something that just a handful of volunteers and parents can achieve on our own. Realize that we all want the same thing – a chance to belong. Open your hearts, and know that each of us has a part to play in contributing to a cause greater than ourselves.

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I grew up without a father figure because my dad has been in prison since I was very young. I’ve always loved football but I didn’t have anyone to play with in my family. There is a football field near where I live, and whenever I had the chance to go out, I would stand by the sidelines and watch the older boys play.

My name is Anusorn Prabkraisi. I am 11, and my friends call me Mai. When I was 6, I joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program in Thailand. I was then a student at the Trang Special Centre, for children with special needs. I loved it because I could do simple sports activities like throwing and catching a ball, climbing, crossing obstacles, and so on. My teachers said I had great hand-eye coordination and was a pro at throwing and catching the ball!

I continued the activities at home with my family, using simple items to create weights or obstacle courses. It gave me a good foundation at a young age, to grow strong and develop sports skills.

A few years later, I joined the Nakorn Srithammarat Special School and was thrilled to be selected for the football team. During lessons, I’m usually very quiet, but when it comes to football training or physical education classes, I come alive! I love sports. It makes me feel so energetic and free. 

At home, my mum encourages me to play. She gets me plenty of balls to kick around – big ones and small ones. My mum doesn’t know much about football but she always tries her best to cheer me on during training, directing me to go this way and that. She knows I love football attire, and has bought me many sets. I love them so much that I even wear them to bed!

My coach started me on bocce training recently to help me focus. I’m been doing really well. My coach believes that I have the potential to be a top athlete at my school. I hope that when I grow up, I can be a national athlete and one day represent Thailand in football!

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When I was 4, my doctor recommended that I enrolled in a provincial special education centre in Southern Thailand. That was where my parents learned about the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. I was encouraged to play games, and make friends with other children.

My parents changed their mindset too, after seeing how much fun I had at the Young Athletes workshops. They realized that the games were beneficial for my health. The physical activities were making me stronger and I wasn’t as breathless as before. The doctor said I could reduce my medication. I also came out of my shell and found the confidence to make friends. I became more lively and talkative.

Every day since then, my parents use the skills they learnt at the Young Athletes program to create new games and toys for me at home. They use buckets, bottles, flower pots, tiles, cement blocks, along with beach balls and balloons, to create obstacle courses. We throw balls into the buckets, kick the ball to topple the water bottles, and jump over the cement blocks into hula-hoop circles. We set up the games outside my home so that the other children in the neighborhood can come play too. Even the adults join in, so we have all grown active and fit together as a community!

I am now 11, and studying at the Wat Sarikaram School, an integrated Primary School for children with and without intellectual disabilities in Trang, Thailand. My teacher says that she cannot tell that I have a heart defect because I’m active and smiling all the time, playing till I’m all sweaty and dancing at any chance I get. I’ve also been selected to be a cheerleader, as well as a drum major in the band.

My parents get their daily wages as laborers in rubber plantations and construction sites. They supplement the household income by selling fishballs at the weekend markets. These days, I’m able to accompany them and help out with chores at the stall. They don’t have to worry about me, not being able to keep still or not listening to instructions.

Today, I no longer need to take any medication. My heart, mind and spirit are strong. Nobody can stop me! In a few years, when I’m ready, I will join the Special Olympics sports program, and train to be an athlete for Thailand!

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“This is not a playground, please teach your child some discipline.” A stranger said to my mother and walked away before my mom Joan could explain that I have autism. With tears in her eyes, my mom left with me in hand, without completing her shopping.  

My name is Joachim Isaac, lovingly known as ‘Akim’, and this is my story. 

I spoke my first word after 3 years old, and soon after was diagnosed with autism. Growing up, my parents constantly worried about me because I was slower than others, and had trouble following instructions. You could ask me to stand in a line, and I would jump, and flap my arms as though I’m flying! The other kids would laugh when I randomly ran around the classroom. My family soon learnt that I also had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).    

At 4 years old, my mom brought me to my first Special Olympics Young Athletes session. I was SO excited that I could not stop running, jumping, tripping, falling all around. I was in love with the throwing and catching exercises. Finally! Something I was good at! 

My favourite activity of the day was the morning obstacle course run in the field. I could quickly run over all the obstacles. It made me so happy! 

I also love meeting and greeting people, so whenever I see a new face, I push them and jump on them out of excitement. I met so many people at my swimming class too and just enjoyed splashing water on them. My teachers sometimes get tired of trying to teach me, but my parents believed in me and always encouraged me, letting me continue learning at my own pace.  

Last year, I swam an entire lap all by myself. I am truly a water baby. Today, I also know how to do the breaststroke and front crawl. I never thought I would be able to swim so well,  but as they say, never give up!  

Every night before sleeping, I ask God to bless me, my autism and ADHD. I truly believe that the universe listens to me and my family’s prayers. As long as we have faith, fate will always find a way for everyone and all our unique talents.  

Today, besides swimming I also love painting, sketching and singing. I love expressing my thoughts and emotions in pictures and songs. Today I know that life is filled with colours for me to explore and create, and to achieve my own milestones, in my own time. 

To find out more about how to be part of the #WalkForInclusion campaign, please download our summary guide here. We thank you for your generosity and look forward to your participation!

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My name is Praetara Inthichit. My family calls me Prarry, for short. I am 8 years old. I have Down Syndrome. I am also partially blind. When I was much younger, I didn’t dare to do anything on my own. I was scared and depended on my family to help me with every task. I was shy and didn’t have any friends.

My father found out about the Special Olympics Young Athletes program and attended a training session with them. When he came home, he started adapting different household items and furniture to create spaces for me to climb, squeeze through, or cross over – like a mini obstacle course. My parents played with me and it was really fun. I enjoyed myself.

My family then encouraged me to go outside and play these games with the children in my neighborhood. My parents took a long time to convince me. My neighbors were also very understanding, and I eventually came out of my shell and interacted with other children.

Later, my father went overseas to work, but my mother, grandmother, and younger sister would continue to play with me regularly. We did the obstacle course together and simple Young Athletes activities like throwing, catching, jumping. I felt stronger and more confident to interact with others.

Last year, I joined the Sisaket province Municipal School, a small integrated school for children with and without intellectual disabilities in Northeastern Thailand. There are only 10 students in my cohort, and I am the only one with disabilities. To help me adjust, the school allowed me to attend just the morning session.

At school, I’m not very chatty, but I no longer feel so afraid to make friends. My classmates are nice to me. They say I’m very polite. From next term, I will start attending school full-time, and I’m looking forward to it. Every step is a step forward. And that’s good enough for me!

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The festival of Eid brings me painful memories. It was during Eid, two years ago, that I faced the most excruciating hurdle of my life. I lost three of my closest and dearest – my husband, father-in-law and younger son – to a house fire. I went from having a big, happy family to being all alone; but I had no time to mourn because my elder son needed me more than ever.

My story began more than 10 years ago when I moved from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan to join the Karachi School of Arts to pursue Design. After that, I worked as a designer and researcher. I was passionate about my job and wanted to marry someone who shared my passion. That’s when I met Danish, a fellow designer. He was my soulmate. In 2010, we got married.

When our first child Abdul Mannan was born, we realized that he was hyperactive compared to his peers. We got complaints from his teachers about his behaviour. We consulted a doctor who told us that Mannan had developmental difficulties accompanied by a mild case of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). I decided to take a course in early education as a Montessori Director, hoping that the training would enable me to help my son. The course helped me to understand the personality of children with ADHD and ways to handle and take care of them.

But just when things started to feel normal, my life turned topsy turvy. I will never forget the nightmare from 2 years ago, on the special occasion of Eid. We decided to eat out as our house was being fumigated. When we came home, my husband went downstairs to switch the generator on. While he was filling it with petrol, I heard a loud blast. As I ran down the stairs, my heart sank. The entire scene felt surreal. The fire spread so quickly that it engulfed our home within minutes. My father-in-law and children couldn’t escape in time.

Tears seared my cheeks and I was shaking as I rushed all of them to the nearest hospital. In the air was the nauseating smell of burnt flesh and clothes. At the hospital, the staff were not equipped to handle their severe injuries and refused to take them in. I had to then rush them to a larger hospital, the Liaquat National Hospital, where they admitted my sons but couldn’t find beds for my father-in-law and husband. I had to take them to a third hospital.

I kept a vigil by my sons’ beds while my sister-in-law took care of my husband and father-in-law. She gave me daily updates about their condition. We prayed day and night, but we just couldn’t catch a break. The hospital was not properly equipped with the right facilities and my husband had to be moved to yet another hospital.

By this time, both my sons had to be put on ventilators to help them breathe. The next day, I got the news that my husband had started vomiting and had trouble breathing. I prayed constantly for the recovery of my family, hoping against all hope.

Then, the inevitable happened. My father-in-law passed away. Before he died, he had asked me several times if I thought he would survive and I nodded, hoping that he would. A day later, I lost my younger son, followed by the death of my husband.

It felt like my heart was being ripped apart. These were the people closest to me. I couldn’t even begin to describe my sense of loss. But I had no time to weep, I had to pick myself up, not just for myself, but for Mannan. I had lost everyone, I wasn’t ready to lose him too. I tried everything in my power to help him recover. It was a long journey that stretched up to a year.

He underwent a major operation and went through countless follow-up treatments. His physical recovery was slow, but that was just the first of our battles. I had to fight to get him into a good school, but none of the schools accepted him. They always complained about how difficult he was to handle. I was so desperate to get him a place that I even requested that the schools take me in as his caregiver as I was already a Montessori Director. But all I heard was no, no, no. By this point, I was drained and exhausted from going door to door to schools that gave us nothing but rejection.

Then a friend recommended Special Olympics Pakistan to me. I thought it might be a good idea to get Mannan into sports so he could positively channel his energy. I enrolled him in the Dewa Academy for children with disabilities. There, he joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, catered to children aged 2 to 7 to improve their motor and cognitive skills. Within weeks, he was a changed boy. I could not believe the transformation in Mannan. From meek and withdrawn, he became cheerful and outgoing.

I am so grateful to each and everyone who has been part of this journey for Mannan. Not only did sports help him overcome his hyper-activeness, the faculty members and coaches also helped him develop his personality, gave him attention and focused on developing his skills which helped Mannan build his confidence.

All my son needed was love and attention and he got that unconditionally through the Special Olympics movement. For the first time, no one asked me to take him back. He was celebrated for who he was.

As a single mother, things get tough because I have to run this show myself. It takes a village to raise a child, and I’m grateful that my mother, mother-in-law & my sister-in-law offer their support as much as they can. And I am truly thankful for our Special Olympics family, who has embraced us without question.

It’s been a challenge, but life often sets us down paths we never meant to wander down and we have to make the best of the journey. Existing on this planet, fighting this fight, pushing through these painful but sometimes beautiful days is often about being brave, not perfect. And for Mannan and I, courage was our only option.

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