Hello Guys, I am doing a research paper on "the Benefits of Special Olympics and I need your help.?

Question

I need info and resources, website, book, magazine, newspaper....etc on new concepts or arguments against the benefits of special olympics. I am looking for documented and professional opinions to the above. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Experience is what you need. ALSO, watch "The Ringer". As a special ed teacher it was funny, realistic, about special Olympics, and also has a meaning. Giving those that are different and opportunity to actually be someone other than the guy in the wheelchair is wonderful! Persons who aren't knowledgeable of disabilities often think that all are lower level thinkers. You would be surprised who have a neurological problem and think and behave just as those who have all functions! Also  allows amputees! How awesome for those to be apart of the community rather than being disposed of as a r****d! (The word I hate the MOST)

Answer 2

You need to broaden the topics you are searching for and apply those to your paper.  You may need to go to a college and use their databases.

Adaptive Physical Education

Social interaction / Social Skills

Self-esteem

Activities for increasing attention span

Inclusion (look on the S.O. website if you don't know what I'm talking about here)

  Look at the Council for Exceptional Children Website, too.

Edit- The top three win medals and stand on a stage.  The rest of the teams are given participant awards.  The participants (older children, teens and adults with mental retardation) usually have a mental age between 3 and 6.  They simply don't understand not getting anything.  They worked hard to be there.  Let them have a plastic medal or ribbon.  Most of my former students protected their medals like they were worth millions.  Special Olympics allows the participants to feel "normal" and in the spotlight.  Allow them to have their moment without being critical of a teenager that has a potty training schedule still!

Edit 2 - As a professional working with special education students, I would expect you to realize what makes a valid argument with Special Olympics.  Even bringing that up made me question your judgment on the subject.  It's just insulting to the athletes and countless volunteers that work to give the athletes a fair and meaningful training and competition. I'm only of the thumbs down though!

Answer 3

A counter argument would be that all the "special Olympics" are good enough for the normal olympics.

Answer 4

find the local office in your town and set up a meeting with the office staff and the athletes.

Answer 5

before I get thumbs down-the question asks for arguments against-I am not saying this reason is valid-it is just an argument people use.

One argument I have heard is that in the special olympics-all athletes 'win'-even if they come in last--

the argument is that you can't always win and it is teaching a bad idea.

Edit;

As I said-i am not saying this argument is valid-is just an argument people use-which is what the question is looking for

Just because you don't like the argument-doesn't justify a thumbs down-

it is an appropriate answer to the question-even if teh argument is not valid.