Motor Activities Training Program (MATP)

The Special Olympics Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) is designed for persons with the most severe handicaps who do not yet possess the physical and/or behavioral skills necessary to participate in Official Special Olympics Sports. The program provides a comprehensive motor activity and recreation training curriculum for these participants that can be administered by a variety of trainers (e.g., physical educators, re-creators, and therapists). In addition, direct care workers, parents, and volunteers will find the MATP helpful in developing appropriate motor programs for individuals with severe handicaps.

The Motor Activities Training Program emphasizes training and participation rather than competition. The MATP utilizes goals, short term objectives, task analyzed activities, assessments, and teaching suggestions for individualizing motor activity instruction so that persons with severe handicaps can participate in appropriate recreation activities geared to their ability levels. These activities can be conducted in schools and large residential facilities, as well as in community-based settings.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

LONG – TERM GOAL – The long-term goal is a global statement about what you feel your participant can accomplish in a one-or two-year time period.

The participant will demonstrate motor and sensory-motor skills, appropriate behavior, and an understanding of the skills and rules of the Motor Activities Training Program that will enable him/her to successfully take part in training day activities and official Special Olympics sports.

SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES – Choose two to four short-term objectives that you feel your participant can achieve in an 8- to 16-week training program:

1.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will warm-up properly (with assistance as needed) before performing motor activities.

2.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will demonstrate an awareness of visual, auditory, and/or tactile stimulation.

3.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform mobility activities.

4.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform dexterity activities.

5.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform striking activities.

6.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform kicking activities.

7.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform activities using a manual wheelchair.

8.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully perform activities using an electric wheelchair (when appropriate).

9.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully take part in aquatics activities.

10.0 Given demonstration and practice, the participant will successfully participate in age-appropriate modified group games and sports.

11.0 Given that the participant has successfully completed a six-to-eight-week training program, the participant will take part in a training day.

12.0 Based on the participant's motor skills, he/she will take part in official Special Olympics sports, training day activities, and/or community-based sport and recreation activities.

SOWI encourages programs interested in developing the MATP to have at least one of their coaches become certified as a MATP coach. Coaches’ certification is not a requirement, but will greatly aid in delivering a quality MATP program to the Special Olympics athletes.

To assist programs with implementing the MATP program, SOWI will provide cost-free challenge award ribbons. Special Olympics athletes who complete an eight-week training session and participate in training day activities are eligible to receive a ribbon. In order to be sanctioned as an official SOWI MATP program and receive the challenge award ribbons, a program must submit a sanction form at least eight weeks prior to the scheduled training day. (NOTE: This is in order to insure an adequate supply of challenge award ribbons are on hand.)

For more information on MATP, contact

Angela Frizzo, Director of Training and Competition
afrizzo@specialolympicswisconsin.org
Direct Line: 608-442-5679
Toll Free: 800-552-1324