By Shelba Waldron - Director of Club Education and Outreach, USA Gymnastics

Working with the Families of Children with Disabilities: A culture of acceptance is one that welcomes and includes all children. Coaches who create accessible environments for children with disabilities plays a critical role in helping those children succeed.

Establishing meaningful relationships with families is a critical part of a coach's work, and communication is especially important when working with families of children with special needs. Check out a list of best practices to create an inclusive gym environment and experience below!

• Establish strong relationships with families of children with special needs to discover their wishes and concerns for participating in gymnastics.
• Ask questions and discover strategies that work at home or school and consider using those during their gymnastics practice.
• Respect family diversity.
• Acknowledge and incorporate the developmental needs of the child into practice.
• Challenge assumptions and urge others in the gym, such as athletes, staff, and parents, to challenge theirs.
• Differentiate instruction/building in modifications and accommodations.