Below is an excerpt from an opinion article in The Sunday Paper by Maria ShriverWritten by Special Olympics President Tim Shriver And professional basketball player Tony Snell:
On the surface, we may appear to be on completely different paths. Tony Snell Tim Shriver is a professional basketball player and nine-year NBA All-Star. Tim Shriver is the Chairman of the Special Olympics Board of Directors. Today, we are joining our voices as parents, speaking out on behalf of parents of young children with disabilities. Autism.
Raising a child is one of the most demanding jobs you can have. But for millions of parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities, finding the right care at the right time can mean years of struggle, especially if you’re poor or a person of color. No matter who you are or what you have, the struggle is universal, and we want to change that.
For Tony, 32, his autism journey began with his two sons, Carter, 3, and Kenzo, 2. Their autism diagnosis last year led to a surprise diagnosis for him, one that was somewhat reassuring.
“My learning” Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) “It helped me make sense of my whole life,” Snell says. “It’s why I am who I am.”
The term ASD covers a wide range of developmental difficulties. Autism spectrum disorder, which is more common in boys, often causes delayed speech and problems with nonverbal communication and interpersonal relationships, but it reveals Gifts too Such as a sharp focus, a strong sense of justice, and exceptional critical thinking skills.
It’s one thing to understand the condition. It’s another to get help.
As Tony saw with his two sons, early intervention is key. Special Olympics understands the urgency of early action. Since Tim joined the movement in 1996, Special Olympics has grown to use sport as a cornerstone to transform all aspects of life for those with disabilities. Intellectual disabilities (ID). Our Early Childhood Program, Young athletesThe Children with Intellectual Disabilities Program brings together children with and without intellectual disabilities to play and grow, beginning in their early years. We have helped move the world from silence, separation and denial to an era of strong self-advocacy and much greater acceptance.
