Special Smiles, funding provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation, offers dental screenings, health education, prevention services, and refers athletes to potential sources of treatment and follow-up care. In 1997, Healthy Athletes, in cooperation with the Division of Oral Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Special Smiles protocol to evaluate oral health. Special Smiles provides SO athletes with an oral health screening exam, education about the importance of good oral hygiene habits, a fluoride varnish and instructions in correct tooth brushing and flossing methods.
Find out more »Healthy Hearing conducts hearing screenings. Reduced hearing can have a significant negative impact on an athlete’s ability to respond to directions in training, as well as understand other verbal information from coaches. The safety of the athlete also can be impeded by hearing loss, as can the athlete’s interpersonal relationships. Screening of hearing is the first step in the process of identifying an athlete’s hearing loss and preventing its negative effects from occurring in sporting and social events.
Find out more »When athletes are in their best physical health, they train and compete at their highest level. Healthy Athletes not only provides health services and education, it also trains health care students and professionals who gain increased knowledge of and compassion for people with intellectual disabilities. All athletes with a current medical on file with SOWI are invited to the screenings, even if they are not competing at Spring Games.
Find out more »Athletes compete at their best by connecting fitness to athletic performance. Athletes receive education in nutrition, hydration, physical activity and mental toughness. With improved overall fitness, everyone can improve his or her performance in sport and health, culminating in a better quality of life.
Find out more »Special Smiles (funding provided by Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation) performs dental screenings to increase awareness of oral health. At the screening, dentists and hygienists identify oral problems, while athletes are provided with hygiene education, a “goodie bag” with dental care items (automatic toothbrush while supplies last), fitted mouth guards and fluoride varnish!
Find out more »Healthy Hearing conducts hearing screenings. Reduced hearing can have a significant negative impact on an athlete’s ability to respond to directions, as well as understand verbal information from coaches at practice and competitions. Hearing loss affects one’s safety and interpersonal relationships. A hearing screen is the first step in the process of identifying hearing loss and preventing its negative effects from occurring in sports and social events. Athletes that attend Healthy Hearing will receive a free gift!
Find out more »Strong Minds stresses how important taking care of one’s emotional wellness is and how taking care of it should be practiced like any other important skill. Strong Minds aims to educate coaches and athletes on how to incorporate mindfulness exercises into athletic practices and one’s everyday life. There will be mindfulness activity guides and other mindfulness tools available!
Find out more »FUNfitness screenings are conducted by Physical Therapists and physical therapy students. They assess flexibility, functional strength and balance of the athlete. After the assessment, athletes will receive a take-home booklet and education on recommended stretches/exercises personalized to them based on the results of their strength, flexibility and balance tests. While supplies last – fitness kits will be given to athletes that attend FUNfitness!
Find out more »| Special Olympics Wisconsin | |
| 6582 Ronald Reagan Ave. | |
| Madison, WI 53704 | |
| (608) 222-1324 | |
