IMPACT:
Individualized Movement and Physical Activity for Children
Today
An Educational Program for Children with Special Needs
| "The
moment I witnessed 'my' child walk across the room without
any assistance for
the first time is a memory I will always cherish." Kathy Edmiston IMPACT Student Volunteer |
Drop by the Women's Building on the OSU campus any Friday evening and you'll hear young, excited voices participating in IMPACT, a program designed to develop important skills for children with special needs. More than 80 children aged 6 months to 21 years, divided by age group, are engaged in physical activities-swimming, dancing, throwing balls, playing games, testing their skills on the climbing wall, balancing on a beam. Each child is receiving the individual attention, support, and encouragement of a specially trained OSU undergraduate volunteer or graduate student.
| "The program
offers an opportunity to make an IMPACT on a child that will
last a lifetime. Children learn from the volunteers and volunteers
learn from the children. There is nothing more rewarding than
getting through a challenging activity with a child and seeing
them with a smile that lights up the world. Knowing you helped
them achieve that will remain with them forever." John Banola, IMPACT Coordinator |
The children have a wide variety of abilities and come to IMPACT through referrals from teachers, physicians, therapists and parents who have experienced the program. Individualized physical activity programs are developed for each child based on initial screening, ongoing motor assessment and consultation with parents, teachers, and therapists.
The skills these young people develop will help them with daily life in their classrooms, on playgrounds, and at home. The fun they have keeps them coming back to IMPACT week after week.
Parents and families may stay to observe their children during IMPACT or take the opportunity for a respite. They may also choose to attend educational sessions with guest speakers presenting on the challenges and joys of parenting a child with special needs.
OSU students with a variety of professional interests have an opportunity to learn about the development of children with special needs and the importance of making a personal contribution to a community-based program.
IMPACT, formerly known as the OSU Special Physical and Motor Fitness Clinic, was established in 1982 as part of OSU's Movement Studies in Disability Program, a nationally known program within the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. The program lures top graduate students from around the world based on a reputation for research and active outreach programs like IMPACT.
IMPACT
is directed by faculty members in Exercise and Sport Science along
with doctoral students in the Movement
Studies in Disability Program.
The program has received support from various sources - United Way
of Benton County, Hewlett Packard, the Christopher Reeve Foundation,
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, US Department
of Education, and OSU's College of Health and Human Sciences.
Although IMPACT is usually at capacity, a waiting list is maintained. Those interested in enrolling a child in IMPACT will be asked to submit an application, medical form and optional photo release. A nominal fee is charged for participation and a sliding scale is available.
Application for Children to Participate: Word or Adobe
Acrobat
Application for Volunteers: Word or Adobe Acrobat
IMPACT
Individualized Movement and Physical Activity for Children Today
123 Women's Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-6802
541-737-2176
541-737-4230 (fax)
Jeff McCubbin and Joonkoo
Yun, Directors
Miyoung Lee, Faculty Affiliate
Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer and complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973.
IMPACT Newsletter
Resource Guide
A Resource Guide for families of children with disabilities living in the Mid- Willamette Valley, developed by Mandy Sargeant as a graduate project, available in Microsoft Word and Portable Document Format
| "They really know
how to talk to our children, relate to them, and the activities
get them moving and interacting. Patricia knows the days of
the week 'IMPACT is on Friday!' she proudly says. 'I am going
to OSU!'" Elma Santillan, mother of 8-year-old Patricia |
IMPACT Program featured in the new OSU TV Commercial.
