Exploring Esoteric and Exoteric Definitions of Disability: Inclusion, Segregation, and Kinship in a Special Olympics Group

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Caldeira
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Differential Identity ◽  
Classic Work ◽  
Preceding Discussion ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Folklorist William Hugh Jansen’s (1959) classic work on esoteric and exoteric folklore has frequently been used to understand how groups identify themselves and others, but this classification becomes complicated when working with individuals with intellectual disabilities who may or may not self-identify as “disabled” or understand disability as something that applies to them because it hinges on relational conceptions of normalcy. In chapter 2, “Exploring Esoteric and Exoteric Definitions of Disability: Inclusion, Segregation, and Kinship in a Special Olympics Group,” Olivia Caldeira revisits Jansen’s concept of esoteric/emic and exoteric/etic and expands on Shuman’s preceding discussion of stigma and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from fieldwork with a group of Special Olympics athletes, Caldeira applies Richard Bauman’s (1971) concept of differential identity to emphasize how disability is commonly used to describe others but not oneself. In doing so, she investigates new ways of understanding the concept of disability as a fluid term that is more about understanding deviance rather than static notions of normalcy.

Evaluation of the Special Olympics Team Wellness health promotion program for individuals with intellectual disabilities

2020 ◽  
pp. 174462952095744
Author(s):  
Kathleen McCarty ◽  
Alicia Dixon-Ibarra ◽  
Megan MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Program Fidelity ◽  
Promotion Program ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Feedback Program ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Introduction: Individuals with intellectual disabilities are a known health disparities group. The Team Wellness (TW) health promotion program was developed to provide healthy lifestyle information to target this population. The purpose of this study was to conduct a qualitative program evaluation on Team Wellness. Methods: Interviews were conducted via one-on-one format with program coaches (n = 4, mean age = 25, female = 2, male = 2) and focus group with program athletes (n = 6, mean age = 45, female = 4, male = 2) who completed the TW program. Results: Themes that emerged included: (1) Program Perceptions; (2) TW Support; and (3) Program Feedback. Program perceptions were positive and continued athlete participation was anticipated. Coaches felt prepared to facilitate based on previous experience though program fidelity varied. Conclusion: Study participants enjoyed TW and identified valuable recommendations. Program fidelity and marketing efforts are important for future consideration. Further quantitative assessment is needed to determine the effectiveness the program.

scholarly journals Sport Participation Motivation of Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (70) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jūratė Požėrienė ◽  
Rūta Adomaitienė ◽  
Vida Ostasevičienė ◽  
Diana Rėklaitienė ◽  
Inga Kragnienė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Retardation ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Sport Motivation ◽  
Participation Motivation ◽  
Motivation Scale ◽  
Sport Motivation Scale ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Special Olympics have grown and became the largest worldwide provider of sport opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In addition, Special Olympics sport programs participation is associated with improved physical fitness and motor skills as well as increased self-esteem, self-confidence, social competence and positive self-perceptions. But there is still limited research regarding sport participation motivation in Special Olympics, so the aim of the study was to identify why individuals with intellectual disabilities have joined and continue to participate in Special Olympics program. This study evaluated sport participation motivation of 102 (60 males and 42 females) SO athletes aged 12 to 16 years (mean age 14.12, SD = 1.47). The sampling design was purposive in that participants had to meet criteria of mental retardation, to come from the same Kaunas region, and to participate in sport for 1—2 hours twice a week for a minimum 6 months. To measure sport motivation were used the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) (Pelletier et al., 1995). The Lithuanian validation of this modified sport motivation scale (SMS) for persons with mild mental retardation was done by Sajute (2002). The results showed that Special Olympics sport participants expressed significantly greater identified regulation level (extrinsic motivation) than intrinsic motivation, and the mean score of external regulation (extrinsic motivation) was higher compared to intrinsic motivation. Results showed the most motivating factors for participants was winning ribbons and medals, fun, being pretty skilled and spend time with friends. While sport participation motives of athletes with intellectual disabilities varied, they were not so different between genders. No significant differences were found between genders. Our study supported the use of self-determination theory for the evaluation of motivation for participation in Special Olympics sport programs.Keywords: intellectual disabilities, sport participation, extrinsic and external motivation.

scholarly journals Athletic identity of individuals participating in Special Olympics as exemplified by swimmers – pilot study

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
Marta Wieczorek ◽  
Wojciech Wiliński ◽  
Aleksandra Sadziak
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Athletic Identity ◽  
Research Tool ◽  
Professional Athletes ◽  
Measurement Scale ◽  
Special Olympics ◽  
Olympic Movement ◽  
High Level ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract Introduction: Special Olympics is an association whose main objective is to organise training and sports competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Each of these individuals manifests certain identification with the sport they do. It is called sports identity and is the subject of interest in this study. The cognitive aim of the study was to determine the intensity which is measured by the level of agreement with the sports identity in the selected group of athletes participating in Special Olympics. In turn, the practical purpose of the work was to indicate the possibilities of applying a modified research tool with regard to individuals with intellectual disabilities and to spread the knowledge about people with intellectual disabilities. Material and methods:The study was conducted on the participants of the 8thLower Silesian Special Olympics Swimming Competition in 2015. A diagnostic poll was applied as a research method and aninterview technique was used. Brewer’s Modified Athletic Identity Measurement Scale was a research tool utilised in the study. Results:Aspects of athletic identity revealed that the majority of Special Olympics participants believed that they were professional athletes and were planning to continue participating in this type of Olympic movement. Their closest friends were also professional athletes. For half of the study participants sport was the most significant part of their life, while a sports failure did not change their disposition. Conclusions:The participants of Special Olympics manifest a high level of athletic identity, which is proven, inter alia, by the fact that sport is one of the most important parts of their lives. For individuals with intellectual disabilities, participation in sports competitions and training sessions organised by Special Olympics is more significant than winning in sports competition

Older individuals with intellectual disabilities: Family dynamics and future planning

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley A. Williams ◽  
Sara Hon Qualls ◽  
Sheri C. Gibson ◽  
Christina L Vair ◽  
Lindsay N. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Family Dynamics ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Future Planning ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

What activities individuals with intellectual disabilities do for fun: exploration into self-care

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zachary J. Hankle ◽  
Dane C. Bluestone ◽  
Jennifer K. Kramer ◽  
Palak Bassi ◽  
Anthony J. Goreczny
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Interactive digital art for individuals with intellectual disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 174462952097555
Author(s):  
Lindsey Albrecht ◽  
Hannah Starnes ◽  
Katie Benton ◽  
Awel Bol ◽  
Emily Gettings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Digital Art ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Digital Form ◽  
Interactive Art ◽  
Digital Painting ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Interactive digital art can be a beneficial therapeutic intervention for a variety of populations, but specifically for the population of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Interactive digital art uses the engagement of the participant to create a digital form of art. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the effects that interactive art has on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Interactive arts discussed were used in a variety of settings ranging from sand art, to using video games, or interactive art exhibits. Sand art and other digital painting methods were proven to be beneficial in improving cognitive functioning and social aspects of those with intellectual disabilities. While exploring the various settings, participant feedback was given in association with using interactive digital art.

scholarly journals Active Time in Cooperative Activities, Quality of Life and Body Mass Index in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. A Model of Structural Equations

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2341
Author(s):  
Gabriel González-Valero ◽  
Josep Vidal-Conti ◽  
Félix Zurita-Ortega ◽  
Pere Palou-Sampol
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Active Time ◽  
Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Current research shows that individuals with intellectual disabilities do not engage in enough physical activity to acquire health benefits. However, cooperative learning has been shown to be an effective tool for inclusion and for improving healthy physical habits. The aim of this study is to contrast an explanatory model which incorporates quality of life, active time in cooperative activities, body mass index and age, as well as to analyze, using multi-group structural equations, the existing associations according to the sex of subjects with intellectual disabilities. The convenience sampling used allowed the collection of data from a total of 156 subjects in Granada (Spain), aged between 18–55 years. In terms of gender, the sample was homogeneous, representing 52.6% (n = 82) for women and 47.4% (n = 74) for men. The active time during the cooperative learning was recorded with the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 activity band, for the quality of life scale (GENCAT) was used, and the body mass index was calculated through its standardized equation. Age was directly associated with body mass index in both sexes. Likewise, age was positively related to the active time of women. Quality of life was directly associated with active time and body mass index was inversely related to active time. This study shows the importance of active time during work and cooperative learning in individuals with intellectual disabilities, as it is associated with an improvement in the quality of life and a reduction in the problems of sedentarism, overweight, and obesity.

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