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~-%~~y~~~ SPECIAL EVENTS ~~rl~ Yale Study Shows Special Olympics' Benefits ATHLETES' PERFORMANCE IN WORK, SCHOOL AND SOCIAL SETTINGS HIGHER Special Olympics athletes perform better at school, at Special Olympics, the program offers a vehicle for social work and at home, the longer they participate in the integration and accomplishment among its active program, according to a study by mental retardation experts participants;' Dykens said. at Yale University. The report will be published in an "For parents who are looking (or ways to enhance their upcoming edition of the /ournal of America Academy of children's development growth, this study suggests that Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. athletes who participate in Special Olympics acquire The study measured such social competency skills as the important skills that can help them gain employment, ability to live independently, hold a job, participate in maintain relationships, function independently and community activities and develop close friendships. contribute to community life," said Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Released just prior to the 1995 Special Olympics World honorary chairman of Special Olympics International. Games, the Yale study is the firs) "It may be Ihal improved scientific study to focus on the sncial compr•ICnce is associated social and emotional goals of the with the sustained support and Special Olympics Program rather encouragement of Special than physical fitness and sports Olympics coaches or of families achievement. who are committed to the The study compared athletes - program," Dykens said. "Or, it who actively competed in Special t could be related to multiple Olympics games against a successes that form the fabric of control group of people with the program, or the athlete's mental retardation who were not pleasurable routine of playing sports and socializing with involved in the program. The others." researchers discovered that the ; length of time spent in Special ~~"1d Fifty-four male and' female Olympics is the greatest ~ athletes participated in the 1993 predictor of increased social ~ study, ranging in age from nine competence-better than IQ or to 37, with a mean age of nearly age-among randomly selected 23. On average, study study partidpants. participants had been involved in "this study offers new insight Special Olympics games (or nine on how Special Olympics ~ years, with some participating for provides an opportunity for as little as one year or as much as athletes to develop their social ~ 22 years. growth,' said Elisabeth M. ~ Participants' IQ scores ranged Dykens, Ph.D., assistant professor from 40 to 78, with a mean IQ of at the Yale Child Study Center, 59. Yale scientists also disclosed who conducted the study with that social benefits of Special thecentefsdirector. Olympics participation occur 'Furthermore, the results of regardless of age and IQ, and do this study show that, in addition not appear to diminish over time. to the real physical benefits of "THE MOST CREDIBLE CHARITY IN AMERICA" Pardon us for bragging a little, but the most honest charity in the United without an unwavering and deep we thought you would like to hear States. belief in sportsmanship and sharing. some good news about Special Naturally, we're delighted. Over the And millions of individuals with mental Olympics. In a poll conducted by The past 27 years, Special Olympics has retardation could never have revealed Chronicle of Philanthropy, Special grown to be the world's largest their talents to the world without the Olympics was rated by the public as program of sports training and athletic generosity of friends like you. This the most credible charitable cause in competition for children and adults unique partnership is what makes America. Seventy-three percent of with mental retardation. This could Special Olympics so credible. Thank Americans rated Special Olympics as never have been accomplished you for your support...and your trust.