The Adm and Associated S.o. Programmes
Course Modules
Start Course
| Module 1 | Module 1 |
| Unit 1 | Welcome |
| Unit 2 | What Makes a Good Coaching Assistant? |
| Unit 3 | Communicating Effectively |
| Unit 4 | Athlete Centered Coaching |
| Unit 5 | Divisioning and Advancement |
| Unit 6 | Unified Sports |
| Unit 7 | What Makes a Good Training Session? |
| Unit 8 | The Ca's Role in Developing Fitness |
| Unit 9 | Dealing With Concussion |
| Unit 10 | The Adm and Associated S.o. Programmes |
| Unit 11 | Assessment |
| Unit 12 | Sport: Level 2 Coaching Assistant Course Evaluation Survey |
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Module Summary
What is the Athlete Development Model?
The Athlete Development Model (ADM) is a framework which maps out the key stages of development an athlete may pass through during their lifelong involvement in the SO. It acts as a reference document for SO regions, programmes and coaches to help them ensure that every athlete is being sufficiently supported in terms of programme provisions. It also provides guidance on how many training sessions and competitions athletes should take part in at each stage.
Four stages of the ADM
The ADM is made up of four stages. As a movement that provides opportunities for athletes of all ages, the ADM presents guidance on how best to support athletes in participating at their chosen level throughout their lifetime.
Fundamentals
Suitable programmes:
- Young Athletes
- Motor Activities Training
Training to train
Suitable programmes:
- Traditional SO Sport
- Unified Sports (Recreation and Player Development)
- Developmental Sports
Training to compete
Suitable programmes:
- Traditional SO Sport
- Unified Sports (all models)
Recreational activities
Suitable programmes:
- Traditional SO Sport
- Unified Sports (all models)
What is Young Athletes?
Special Olympics Young Athletes (YA) is a sport and play program for children with and without intellectual disabilities (ID), aged 2 to 7 years old. YA introduces basic sport skills, like running, kicking and throwing. It offers families, teachers, caregivers and people from the community the chance to share the joy of sports with all children.
What are Developmental Sports?
Developmental sports activities were created to bridge the gap between learning fundamental skills in YA and entering into competitive sports programmes.
What does it cover?
It teaches fundamental sports skills and sport specific skills to athletes aged 6-12 years old in a sport specific context. It focuses on fun, play, and skill acquisition, while also facilitating a smooth transition from structured play to competitive sport.
Why do we need Developmental Sports activities?
Special Olympics has placed a strategic emphasis on supporting children as they age out of Young Athletes and move into Special Olympics. This is due to the following:
- A child under eight years old may have advanced beyond the skills in their Young Athletes activities, but is not yet old enough to participate in SO.
- A child who is eight or older may not feel ready to join a team and participate in weekly practice sessions in one sport.
Why do we need Developmental Sports activities?
- A community program or team may be primarily made up of adults and not be developmentally appropriate for an eight year old child to join.
- An elementary or primary school may want to provide inclusive sports activities through SO, but not be structured to support team sports.
Click here to view a PDF document that provides further information on Developmental Sports activities.
What is the MATP?
The Motor Activities Training Programme (MATP) is for athletes of all ages (eight years +) at the Fundamentals stage of the ADM. This programme is for athletes with severe or profound IDs, who lack the skill level or functional ability to enter formal sport.
Purpose of the MATP
Let’s find out more about how the MATP helps these athletes.
What does the MATP focus on?
The MATP sessions focus on motor skill development, helping athletes with severe or profound intellectual disabilities to improve their functional capacity. The skills practiced are related to and may lead to participation in traditional Special Olympics events, but also help them in their daily lives. The MATP provides an opportunity for athletes to be challenged and to perform at their personal best without comparison to others.
Personalisation
The MATP athlete qualification process is used to ensure that each athlete who comes to SO is provided the most challenging and rewarding sport experience appropriate for him or her.
