Understanding Autism – Chapter 13: Special Olympic movement as new opportunities for socialization of children with mental disabilities, including ASD

Social integration of children with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disorders and ASD, is an urgent medical and social task. One of the International Projects that showed the possibilities of developing the creative and sports potential of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, improving their quality of life, is the project of the Special Olympics Movement. The aim of the research. To study the Special Olympics formation in the world and its development features in Russia. Discussion. The chapter analyses the uniqueness of Special Olympics and the stages of its development in the world. The Special Olympics in Russia was founded later, in 1999, but nowadays, more than 120 thousand children and adults participate in this Movement. The development of the Special Olympics in Russia is presented on the example of the Special correctional boarding school of VIII type in Moscow. This school was founded with the aim of teaching children with intellectual disabilities, and then, the psychological and pedagogical staff began to involve the children of this school into various health-saving projects. Thanks to the enthusiasm of teachers and psychologists, the Special correctional boarding school since its foundation, had implemented programs for integration, socialization and physical rehabilitation of children with intellectual disabilities, including ASD. Conclusion. Preliminary results of common work have shown the need for a scientifically based comprehensive systematic (interdisciplinary) approach of doctors, psychologists and teachers to develop and test rehabilitation programs that will allow children with disabilities to improve physical and mental health, improve the quality of education and the quality of social adaptation. The activities of special correction schools and centers may become the platform for testing personalized methods and programs for subsequent widespread implementation into the work of children's institutions, and the preparation of a reserve for the Special Olympics.